Tiger Woods will step away from golf to seek treatment

Tiger Woods announced on Tuesday that he will be stepping away from golf to seek treatment, four days after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated near his South Florida home.

Woods, 50, entered a written plea of not guilty for the DUI charge, property damage and refusal to submit to a urine test after he was involved in a two-vehicle rollover crash near his residence in Jupiter Island, The Athletic reported. He is seeking a jury trial in Martin County Circuit Court in Stuart, according to the website.

According to court records, Woods also submitted a waiver of arraignment through his attorney, Douglas Duncan, according to WPTV. The hearing had been scheduled for April 23, ESPN reported.

Woods issued a statement on his social media accounts about his decision to skip golf for now.

“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health,” Woods wrote on his social media accounts on Tuesday. “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.

“I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones, and myself at this time.”

In an affidavit released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office earlier Tuesday, deputies stated that they found the 15-time PGA Tour majors champion with two hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket after the crash and had showed “signs of impairment.”

Deputies added that Woods had bloodshot eyes, according to the affidavit.

Woods explained to authorities that he was looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station on his black Land Rover as he drove north, the affidavit stated.

Deputies said that Woods was following a white Ford F-150 truck that was towing a trailer, WPEC reported. The truck slowed down and the motorist activated a turn signal when Woods crossed over a double solid line to pass, according to the television station.

Woods struck the rear of the trailer and his vehicle rolled over, according to the affidavit.

The impact of the crash caused Woods’ vehicle to flip onto the driver’s side, WPEC reported.

Woods’ decision to step away from golf means that he will not attend next week’s Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, The Athletic reported. Previously, he had been expected to help open “The Patch,” a short course he designed at Augusta Municipal Golf Course.

He had also been expected to attend the annual Champions Dinner on April 7, the sports website reported. Woods has won the Masters five times, most recently in 2019.

“Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well being. Tiger continues to have our full support as he takes this important step.”

Since 2009, Woods has been involved in four major crashes.

0 of 47

© 2025 Cox Media Group