Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing his Land Rover on a two-lane road near Jupiter Island just after 2 p.m. Friday, according to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek. The 50-year-old professional golfer showed signs of impairment and was believed to be under the influence of medication when the incident occurred not far from his Jupiter Island residence, Budensiek said.
The crash happened when Woods attempted to pass a pressure cleaner truck while driving on the two-lane roadway, according to sheriff’s officials. Woods’ Land Rover swerved to avoid a collision as he was passing the truck but clipped the back end of the truck’s trailer, authorities said. The impact caused Woods’ vehicle to roll onto its driver’s side, but the golfer was not injured in the rollover crash, Budensiek reported.
Woods was able to crawl out of the passenger side of his overturned Land Rover following the collision, according to the sheriff. He was subsequently arrested at the crash scene on suspicion of driving under the influence after showing signs of impairment, with authorities believing medication was the impairing substance rather than alcohol, Budensiek stated. Woods’ manager at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a text message seeking information about the incident.
This marks at least the third time Woods has been involved in a car crash, according to reports. His most recent previous accident occurred in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed, resulting in multiple leg and ankle injuries that were so severe doctors considered amputation, Woods later revealed. That crash significantly impacted his golf career and physical capabilities.
Woods also faced DUI charges in 2017 when south Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his damaged car that was parked awkwardly, according to previous reports. Woods said at the time that he had taken a bad mix of painkillers, and he later pleaded guilty to reckless driving in connection with that incident.
The latest crash comes as Woods has been working his way back to competitive golf following his seventh back surgery in September. He had not yet decided whether he could participate in the Masters tournament scheduled for April 9-12, according to reports. Woods’ last official tournament was the British Open in 2024, and he ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025, which kept him off the course for the entire season even before his back surgery.
Despite his physical challenges, Woods managed to play in his indoor TGL golf league on Tuesday night, just days before Friday’s crash. The golf legend has remained deeply involved in PGA Tour affairs as chairman of the Future Competition Committee that is restructuring the tour’s competitive model, according to reports.
Woods also faced a soft deadline at the end of the month to decide whether to become U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. He was previously offered the job for the last Ryder Cup but did not turn it down until June, prompting the PGA of America to request a much earlier decision this time around.
Location & Road Context
The crash occurred on a two-lane road near Jupiter Island, an exclusive barrier island community in Martin County, Florida, where Woods maintains a residence. Jupiter Island is known for its wealthy residents and is located along Florida’s Atlantic coast, north of West Palm Beach. The area where the incident took place is characterized by residential roads that serve the island’s upscale community.
Two-lane roads in this area typically see a mix of residential traffic and service vehicles, as evidenced by the pressure cleaner truck that Woods was attempting to pass when the collision occurred. The roadway configuration in this part of Martin County can present passing challenges due to limited visibility and narrow lanes.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI at the crash scene, with authorities indicating they believed medication rather than alcohol was the impairing substance. The case mirrors his 2017 DUI arrest in south Florida, where he was found impaired by prescription painkillers rather than alcohol. In that previous case, Woods ultimately pleaded guilty to reckless driving rather than DUI charges.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office will likely conduct a thorough investigation into Friday’s crash, including toxicology testing to determine what substances may have been in Woods’ system at the time of the incident. The involvement of the pressure cleaner truck and trailer will also be examined as part of the crash reconstruction.
Broader Impact
This latest incident adds to Woods’ ongoing struggle to return to competitive golf following years of physical setbacks and personal challenges. With only 11 tournaments played since his 2021 crash and no finishes closer than 16 shots of the winner in the four events where he completed 72 holes, Woods’ competitive future remains uncertain. The timing of this arrest, coming just weeks before the Masters and his Ryder Cup captaincy decision deadline, could significantly impact both his playing career and his potential leadership role in professional golf.