Tiger Woods has pleaded guilty to reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test, a lesser charge than the initial driving under the influence (DUI) charge stemming from his March arrest. As part of a deal with prosecutors, Woods's license will be suspended for five years. He appeared in Martin County Court with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, by his side.
Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI in March after his Land Rover struck a trailer and flipped onto its side. Police noted he was sweating profusely and claimed he had not consumed alcohol or illegal substances. He did admit to taking prescription medications and refused a urinalysis test. During their search, officers found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket. Woods told police he called President Donald Trump following his arrest. He spent eight hours in jail before being released on bail.
Woods has stated he is stepping away from competitive golf to seek treatment and focus on his health. "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods wrote in a statement on social media. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery. I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally."
This is not the first time Woods has faced legal trouble related to driving incidents and substance use. In November 2009, he crashed his Cadillac Escalade outside his Florida home, hitting a fire hydrant and a neighbor's tree. He was not charged with DUI but received a citation for careless driving. In April 2017, he was arrested after being found unresponsive in his Mercedes-Benz, which had visible damage. At the time, Woods told police he had taken multiple prescription medications, including Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, Ambien, and THC. The DUI charge was later dropped in a plea deal for reckless driving.
Woods's career has been marked by significant achievements, including 15 major wins and induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. However, his personal life has also been subject to public scrutiny, including a tumultuous divorce from Elin Nordegren in 2010 following allegations of infidelity, and subsequent legal and personal challenges. In February 2021, he was involved in a single-car accident in Los Angeles that resulted in severe injuries to his right leg and ankle, though he faced no criminal charges in that instance.
In March 2025, Woods made his relationship with Vanessa Trump official on social media. The couple had previously been seen together, and she has publicly shown support for him, though reports indicate behind-the-scenes difficulties. In April 2023, his former girlfriend Erica Herman filed lawsuits against Woods, including one alleging sexual harassment and another concerning an oral agreement for her to remain on one of his properties post-breakup. Herman later dropped both lawsuits and retracted her harassment allegations.
Woods's recent appearance in a pre-recorded video message paying tribute to Notah Begay III on The Golf Channel drew comments about his appearance, with one social media user writing, "Tiger looks a shell of his former self, sadly."