FLORIDA, March 31, 2026 – Golf legend Tiger Woods has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a car crash last week, as legal proceedings begin following the high-profile incident.
The 50-year-old, a 15-time major champion, was arrested after his vehicle collided with a truck and rolled over in Florida. No injuries were reported. Court documents from Martin County confirm that Woods entered a written not guilty plea through his legal team.
Authorities charged Woods with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He was released on bail after being held for the minimum required period under state law.
According to a police report, officers observed Woods displaying signs of impairment at the scene, including lethargic movements, excessive sweating and dilated pupils. While he passed a breathalyzer test, he declined to undergo a urinalysis test for other substances.
Investigators reported finding two hydrocodone pills—an opioid pain medication—in his possession. Woods told officers he had taken prescription medication earlier that day and admitted he was distracted by his phone while adjusting the radio when the crash occurred.
The report also noted that Woods had difficulty with field sobriety tests, leading officers to conclude he was not in a condition to safely operate a vehicle. Additional observations included limping and stumbling, which Woods attributed to a history of significant injuries, including multiple back surgeries and procedures on his leg following a serious crash in 2021.
The incident comes at a time when Woods had recently returned to competitive play, appearing in the TGL indoor league finals—his first competitive outing in more than a year. He had been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2025 and ongoing back issues.
Woods has not publicly commented on the charges, and his participation in the upcoming The Masters now appears uncertain as he navigates both legal and personal challenges.