Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has clarified that golfer Tiger Woods will be permitted to drive golf carts on the course while serving a five-year driving ban.
Woods, 50, recently pleaded no contest to reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test. This plea deal stems from a March DUI arrest during which Woods flipped his SUV in Jupiter, Florida. While originally charged with driving under the influence, he accepted a lesser charge of reckless driving. As part of the agreement, his driver's license will be suspended for five years.
The resolution sparked concern among fans who worried the ban might extend to golf carts, potentially impacting Woods' ability to play. However, DeSantis addressed these fears via social media, confirming that the driving ban is not intended to prevent Woods from operating golf carts during recreational play on the course.
Woods has increasingly used golf carts in recent years due to lingering effects from injuries sustained in a 2021 car crash, as well as recent back and Achilles surgeries.
Authorities found Woods at the scene of the March crash with prescription opioids in his pocket. Police reported he was driving at a high speed when his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer and overturned. Breathalyzer tests at the time did not detect alcohol, but Woods refused a urine test. A sheriff's report indicated deputies observed signs of impairment and discovered opioids on his person.
This incident marks the fourth major driving-related incident in Woods' adult life. In 2017, he was found unconscious in his vehicle and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, receiving probation and a fine. In 2009, he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree, receiving a ticket for careless driving. Previous reports detailed incidents in 2021 and 2017 where Woods faced accusations related to driving behavior and substance use. In the 2017 incident, Woods admitted to self-medicating for pain and insomnia, and tests later found traces of marijuana, painkillers, and sedatives in his system. He completed a program for painkiller dependency in July 2017.