Woods, 50, crashed his Land Rover on Jupiter Island, in the same town where he lives, just after 2pm local time after clipping a machinery truck at speed and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence.
The 15-time major champion, along with the other driver, emerged from the incident uninjured with Martin County sheriff John Budensiek admitting “this could have been a lot worse”.
This is the third major crash Woods has been involved in and the second time it has led to a DUI arrest, with authorities suspecting that he was “impaired” by medication after he passed a breathalyser test but refused to take a urine sample.
Tiger Woods was arrested and taken to jail following the rollover crash (AP)
Tiger Woods’ Land Rover rolled over in the crash (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP). (AP)
The American was previously taken into custody for driving under the influence in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself into a clinic for prescription medication.
Trump commented on Woods’ crash and said he “feels so badly” for his close friend.
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“He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said, speaking before the Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Woods’ arrest. “There was an accident and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man. Some difficulty, I don’t want to talk about it.”
Tiger Woods (right) alongside Donald Trump at the White House (Getty Images)
Woods will remain in county jail for at least eight hours under state law until he can be released on bond.
Woods was also in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with serious injuries. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the 45mph speed limit when he SUV struck a tree, causing the vehicle to fly through the air and land on its side.
At the 2021 Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods said: “I’m lucky to be alive and also have a limb,” revealing it was 50-50 as to whether part of his right leg would require amputation.
Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September and his status for next month’s Masters remains unclear.
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He admitted he got his “a*** kicked” after returning to golf in the virtual league with his team Jupiter Links, who lost in the TGL Finals.
His last official tournament was The Open in 2024, rupturing his Achilles tendon in March 2025 which that kept him off the course all season prior to back surgery.
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says he has “big respect” for how veteran defender Seamus Coleman has “given everything” to his country’s cause.
While the Everton stalwart would not be drawn on his international future in the immediate aftermath, his career is almost certain to end without having represented the Republic of Ireland at a World Cup.
“I’m especially sad for him, but just for everyone because it was so close,” said Hallgrimsson.
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“To play in the World Cup and to have this game [play-off final] at the Aviva [Stadium] would have been special.
“Obviously he has given everything to this team in his life, so big respect to him like all the others.”
Hallgrimsson left Coleman out of his squad for the first two World Cup qualifiers, but last week admitted the defender “proved me wrong” after he defied a lack of club action to play a big part in the remaining four fixtures, including November’s wins over Portugal and Hungary.
When quizzed on his future, Coleman said: “I’ll be honest, it’s not something I’m thinking about, talking about myself after the nation, the supporters, the players went out in the manner that we went out.
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“It would be selfish and it’s not something that I’ve really dissected myself at the minute.”
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers will try to keep a seven-game road win streak going when they play the Detroit Red Wings.
Detroit has a 20-13-3 record at home and a 39-25-8 record overall. The Red Wings have gone 19-10-2 when scoring a power-play goal.
Philadelphia has gone 19-12-4 on the road and 35-24-12 overall. The Flyers have allowed 211 goals while scoring 200 for a -11 scoring differential.
The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Lucas Raymond has scored 23 goals with 47 assists for the Red Wings. Alex DeBrincat has four goals and 11 assists over the last 10 games.
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Travis Konecny has 25 goals and 35 assists for the Flyers. Owen Tippett has scored five goals with three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Red Wings: 4-5-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.4 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
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Flyers: 7-2-1, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.9 assists, 4.7 penalties and 11.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Red Wings: Michael Rasmussen: out (undisclosed), Cam Talbot: day to day (undisclosed).
Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body), Tyson Foerster: out (arm).
___
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Stephen Curry missed the Golden State Warriors‘ win over the tanking Washington Wizards on Friday night, and, according to ESPN, he will miss at least one more game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. At the very least, that will extend his absence to 25 games since being diagnosed with “runner’s knee” after leaving the Warriors’ game vs. Detroit on Jan. 30.
Curry has reportedly “graduated to more intensified court work” of late but has yet to get clearance for a five-on-five scrimmage.
Clearance. That’s an important word here. Indeed, all the Warriors have to do to allow this life-support season to pass in peace officially is not clear Curry to return. That may just be what they’re doing with these updates coming every so often, pushing the rock down the road until there isn’t enough season left for it to be feasible to bring Curry back. Steve Kerr has already laid the groundwork for this increasingly likely scenario.
“We’re not bringing him back [only] for the play-in game,” Kerr said, via ESPN. “He’d need to play some games. We need to give him a runway if this is going to work. And we are running out of games. That’s fair to say.”
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This is actually perfect for the Warriors, whose entire focus at this point should be on not making the playoffs. The season is already lost. To lose out on a lottery pick (potentially a high one with the flattened odds making anything possible) on top of it would be nothing short of foolish.
This isn’t a case where the Warriors will be fined for tanking. This is a legitimate injury. Nobody can question the severity of the “pain and swelling” that has persisted. ESPN’s Anthony Slater already reported that the Warriors are fearful of risking long-term damage to an already “unpredictable” knee. That’s open to interpretation. At this point, the Warriors could say the 38-year-old Curry caught the flu and get through the next few weeks. There are only eight games left for crying out loud.
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Honestly, what’s the upside of bringing him back at this point? Curry gets hot and somehow carries an utterly hopeless Warriors team through the Play-In Tournament and into the first round of the playoffs, where they will promptly be whacked? That’s worth the forfeiture of a lottery pick? No chance. The Warriors would be out of their organizational mind to even consider allowing that to happen.
Without Curry, they’re not going to jump the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 8 seed. So they’re going to have to win two Play-In games, which, without Curry, is not likely. If you have to, you tank a Play-In game. Whatever it takes. With commissioner Adam Silver set to crack down on tanking next year, and probably in a pretty aggressive way, the Warriors might not have another chance to do this for a while outside of being honestly bad — which they are at this present moment. Trying to get good again with two weeks left in the season can only screw this up.
Again, it’s likely the Warriors are aware of this and are milking Curry’s injury accordingly. That’s not to say he isn’t hurt or that these “setbacks” aren’t real. But if the Warriors were a good team and fighting for one of the top six playoff seeds, would he still be out? The Warriors have erred on the side of caution all this time because Curry’s health is not to be trifled with in any capacity whatsoever, but also because they know if there was a time to rush him back, this isn’t it.
If the Warriors are serious about taking one more run at contention with Curry, which they should be, then that lottery pick this summer is a big deal. They can trade up to five first-round picks this summer, and the higher their 2026 pick lands, the more its market value increases accordingly.
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For clarification, to comply with the Stepien rule (which says you can’t go two straight years without making a first-round pick), the Warriors would have to make their 2026 pick first, with the understanding that they are doing so for the drafted player to be traded. From there, they could send their 2027, 2029, 3031 and 2033 picks, along with whatever young player(s) that a trade partner might desire. That’s a lot of ammo.
So yes, the Warriors can still put a contender around Curry one last time. Next season was always tabbed as the end of this thing. That’s why the contracts of Curry, Kerr, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler all conclude in 2027. It’s lined up that way. It’s all about next season, which effectively starts with the way they choose to end this season.
CHICAGO — Alabama‘s season is over in large part because it wasn’t big enough. Simple as that. No. 1 seed Michigan knocked off the Crimson Tide 90-77 using a typical dominant second-half flurry to deliver the knockout blow. Michigan bested the Tide with brawn, and the numbers back it up.
Michigan outrebounded Alabama 25-12 and had a 20-10 advantage in points in the paint in the final 20 minutes. Alabama’s four-man platoon of London Jemison and Taylor Bol Bowen did not notch a single board in the second half.
Making the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year is an unquestionable success story for Nate Oats and this Alabama program, but Friday’s second-half whimper illustrates the gap between the elites, like Michigan, and that second tier, where Alabama resided this season.
“We know we got to change a little bit,” Oats said. “We knew we were undersized. We were a little light in some of the spots, particularly our four spot.”
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The muscle in Michigan’s huddle was far easier to spot than Alabama’s. Michigan had bricks in its britches; Alabama did not. Oats had to ask Bol Bowen (a stretch 4 who weighs 202 pounds) or London Jemison (an ever-improving freshman who weighs 205 pounds) to try and keep Morez Johnson, Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg off the glass.
Oats pointed to injuries to freshman big man Collins Onyejiaka and sophomore Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow as part of the calculus. He honed in on being forced to play freshman wing Amari Allen at the 4, when “he’s really a point guard.”
That’s fair.
But that’s not the entire story, and Oats chose to veer down a different path and re-open an old can of worms, featuring Baylor‘s James Nnaji, Charles Bediako and a whole lot of lawyers.
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“When we saw the opportunity to bring some size on after all the adversity we went through after Nnaji was declared eligible and most people, including ourselves, thought, you know, if they’re going to declare Nnaji eligible, Bediako would be eligible, and had one judge thought so, too,” Oats said. “He definitely would have helped the situation with the rebounding.”
While Oats is right, the justification rings a bit hollow. The fact that Bediako was able to return from the G-League and even play five games was a borderline miracle to some and an inside job to others for getting the right Alabama judge to grant a temporary restraining order. Bediako served as a “get out of jail free card” for Alabama to atone for some miscalculations in the transfer portal, and when he was ruled ineligible in early February, the flaws on this roster were as obvious as they were in non-conference play when gargantuan clubs like Arizona and Purdue battered Alabama on the boards.
With Bediako, Friday is a different ballgame, but the always-honest Oats may have been better served keeping this one in the chambers as he stewed over the end.
“It wasn’t meant to be,” Oats said. “We had something else in store for us.”
Former ONE featherweight kickboxing world title challenger Marat Grigorian of Armenia was shocked to see a familiar face walk into his gym in Thailand.
ONE Championship bantamweight kickboxing contender Yuki Yoza visited the iconic Armenian for a sparring session, and Grigorian was left impressed.
He said in a recent clip on ONE Championship’s official Instagram:
“He never wraps his hands. I’m just surprised. How come he didn’t break his hands? Last week, Yuki Yoza came to spar in our gym. I was here in Thailand, in Phuket. And my coach called me. ‘You have some fan, he wants to spar with you.’ He showed it to me, it was Yuki Yoza.”
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Grigorian added:
“If he comes [again], of course, we will spar together. He’s doing really good. He’s a very clever fighter. A very strong-minded fighter. He’s a dangerous fighter. For his division, I think he will make it really difficult for Nabil and Haggerty.”
Grigorian will face Japanese star Kaito Ono in a three-round featherweight kickboxing match at ONE SAMURAI 1, which will take place live on Wednesday, April 29 at the Ariake Arena. That same card, Yoza will challenge ‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty for bantamweight kickboxing gold.
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Fans in the United States and Canada can visit ONE Championship’s official website for more information on how to watch ONE SAMURAI 1 from their location.
Marat Grigorian says after Kaito Ono, Superbon has nowhere else to hide: “It’s already time for a title shot again”
Marat Grigorian is expecting to book another crack at ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon after he gets through with business against Kaito Ono at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29.
He said:
“Yes, it’s already time for a title shot again, I think. I always beat the top guys. After Superbon, there’s no one left. It’s more interesting if I’m going to beat Superbon, and after that, I can fight all the other guys.”
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Marat Grigorian’s next fight.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is taken down in his own end zone by Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) for a safety during second-quarter action, as pressure collapses quickly around the pocket on Sep. 13, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL Draft is 26 days away, and the Minnesota Vikings have nine picks. With the event so close, the rumor mill stays quite loud, and this is the first batch of the weekend.
The rumor mill hit Kirk Cousins, KOC, and D.J. Reader in one swing.
It focuses on a former Vikings quarterback’s connection to a rival, a hypothesis about what got Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, and a defensive tackle option in free agency.
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Latest Vikings Chatter Covers Three Very Different Angles
The Purple Rumor Mill for Saturday, March 28th.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) watches from the sideline during second-quarter action, tracking the flow of the game against his former team as emotions and familiarity intersect on Dec. 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the Vikings controlling key moments throughout the matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Rumor: Kirk Cousins is an ideal free-agent fit for the Packers.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic analyzed free agents for Green Bay this week, and Cousins was mentioned.
He explained, “Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love and Malik Willis have all been backup quarterbacks for the Packers. All three could be starting in the NFL come September. Green Bay really values the position, which might make it unlikely that Desmond Ridder or Kyle McCord — the only other quarterbacks on the roster besides Love — are in the No. 2 role come Week 1.”
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“The idea of adding a proven veteran like Cousins, who can at least help the Packers tread water if Love goes down, might entice head coach Matt LaFleur. Cousins might (understandably) want to sign with a team whose starter is less entrenched than Love, but perhaps the idea of reuniting with his position coach from his first two years in the NFL (LaFleur) entices him, too.”
Green Bay has also visited the recent rumor mill for an Anthony Richardson trade.
Either way, because of the Matt LaFleur connection — LaFleur was Cousins’s first quarterback coach in Washington 14 years ago — Cousins to Wisconsin cannot be ruled out.
Rumor: Kevin O’Connell was denied every step of the way last offseason at quarterback.
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Mike Florio, the boss at Pro Football Talk, led the way with this theory last week.
He said, “As I understand it, O’Connell got overruled. He wanted to have Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers, and he got overruled. They said no to Rodgers. Rodgers wanted to play for them last year, and they said no. They’re sticking with J.J. McCarthy. And Jones is really the one that I think gulled O’Connell the most, because I think they thought they had something special with Jones.”
“They fired the GM because he had Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and an interested Aaron Rodgers in the building, and he said,” No, we’re good with J.J. McCarthy, and Max Brosmer and Carson Wentz are gonna be his backups. They’re not going to make the same mistake twice.”
This one actually makes sense, especially for explaining the timing of Adofo-Mensah’s firing — five days after the Seattle Seahawks reached the Super Bowl, led by Darnold.
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Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell address media members, outlining expectations and roster outlook during a pre-training camp press conference held on July 22, 2025, as both leaders discuss team direction, player development, and goals entering another pivotal NFL season. Image Courtesy of YouTube.
Darnold silenced his doubters in Seattle, proving his strong 2024 season in Minnesota was no fluke. He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2025, a feat the Vikings have been chasing for 65 years.
In Indianapolis, Jones emerged as an early MVP candidate before his performance waned in November. A torn Achilles tendon cut his season short, and despite this, rumors surfaced that Minnesota hoped to bring him back in 2025. Ultimately, Jones chose to try the Colts, betting on a starting role under Shane Steichen — a decision that proved prescient.
Meanwhile, Rodgers guided the Steelers to the playoffs, though their run ended in the first round, marking the end of Mike Tomlin’s tenure. Despite the early exit, Pittsburgh secured a playoff berth, while Minnesota narrowly missed out.
If Florio is correct, every quarterback option O’Connell wanted would have led to success.
Rumor: The Vikings should sign DT D.J. Reader.
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Reader got the shoulder tap from Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox on a late-March free-agent list, and he claimed that Reader should pick the Vikings or Dallas Cowboys for his 2026 plan.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) lines up at the line of scrimmage, preparing for the snap and engaging the interior during defensive action against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 16, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as trench battles shape the tone of the game. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.
Knox explained, “D.J. Reader will turn 32 this summer and isn’t the sort of attacking interior pass-rusher that many teams want at defensive tackle. However, he remains a high-end starter, a legitimate force against the run, and a very durable defender. Reader would be a great addition for the Dallas Cowboys, who traded away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.”
“He could serve as a run-stuffing specialist behind Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams to help boost a defense that allowed 4.7 yards per carry in 2025. The Minnesota Vikings should also take a long look at their former division rival. Minnesota released defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in cap-saving moves earlier this offseason. Best Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings.”
Reader is a damn steady defensive tackle, similar to former Vikings defender Dalvin Tomlinson of yesteryear. He would look great in purple for a couple of seasons. Minnesota almost never showcases a true nose tackle. That would change with Reader.
Jaxson Dart opened up about his whirlwind romance with girlfriend Marissa Ayers. The New York Giants quarterback has been dating the fashion model for around six months now.
They met in October, and their romance blossomed quickly. Last week, Dart appeared at the Clarins Night of Extra on March 20, where he opened up about his relationship with Ayers and discussed their fast-moving connection in an interview with People magazine.
Thanks for the submission!
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“She’s been amazing. I mean, I can’t say good enough things about her,” Ayers said (via PEOPLE). “Things have come around so fast between us.
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“It’s really cool when you have two people who are independent what they do, but at the same time… are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. She’s amazing and she’s going to do amazing things, so I can’t wait to support her,” she added.
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Before the event, Jaxson Dart made headlines after his girlfriend, Marissa Ayers, shared a glimpse of their romantic outing on her Instagram account last week. She shared a few romantic photos with the NFL star with a sweet caption
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“in our own little world,” she wrote.
For the outing, Jaxson Dart wore a black coat with a white collar. He paired it with white shoes and posed with his girlfriend, who wore a black dress.
Jaxson Dart opened up about his pilgrim robe outfit at the Clarins Night of Extra event last week. While talking to reporters, he was asked for his take. The 22-year-old shut down the trolls with his reply.
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“I thought it was a great fit,” he said. “I think, I can understand a little bit because it was a Celine outfit. The shirt kind of blended in with the pants but it was a great fit. I definitely do not regret wearing it.”
“I think there’s a lot of people who have opinions about fashion and I think that’s a great thing about this world. You’re able to wear what you want to wear confidently and I love it.”
Jaxson Dart is enjoying the offseason after his amazing rookie season. He played in 14 games in 2025 and recorded 2,272 passing yards.
Ben White endured a night of highs and lows on his return to international football as England national football team were held to a draw by Uruguay national football team in a tense friendly at Wembley Stadium.
The Arsenal FC defender, making his comeback after stepping away from the national team following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was met with boos from sections of the home crowd when he was introduced in the second half.
However, White responded in style. With just nine minutes remaining, he reacted quickly at the near post to turn in a corner delivered by Cole Palmer, giving England what looked like a winning goal.
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The joy proved short-lived. Deep into stoppage time, White was penalised for a challenge on Federico Viñas. After a Video Assistant Referee review, Federico Valverde stepped up and fired the penalty past James Trafford to level the score.
England manager Thomas Tuchel handed full debuts to Trafford and James Garner, but the match struggled to find rhythm, turning into a physical and disjointed contest.
Uruguay were forced into an early change after Joaquín Piquerez went off following a clash with Noni Madueke, who himself was later substituted for Jarrod Bowen due to injury.
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Phil Foden found it difficult to influence the game before being forced off after a heavy challenge from Ronald Araújo. His replacement Palmer soon made an impact, delivering a dangerous set-piece that Dominic Calvert-Lewin failed to convert from close range.
White’s goal appeared to end Uruguay’s resistance, but the late penalty ensured the visitors left London with a share of the spoils.
The equaliser also ended England’s run of six consecutive clean sheets, marking the first goal they had conceded since their 3-1 defeat to Senegal national football team in June 2025.
Tiger Woods has been released on bail after being charged with driving under the influence following his involvement in a car crash in Florida.
The 15-time major winner was taken to jail after his Land Rover rolled over in a collision with a pick-up truck towing a trailer he was attempting to overtake on Jupiter Island.
Woods walked away unhurt but was described as “lethargic” by officers, questioned at the scene and later refused to submit to a urine test.
The 50-year-old was kept in jail for eight hours before being released on bond.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Woods had been released in the early hours of Saturday morning.
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Sheriff John Budensiek told reporters Woods had also been charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. The offences are not felonies.
Budensiek said: “The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment.
“They did several tests on him. He did explain the injuries and surgeries that he’s had and we did take that into account, but they did some in-depth roadside tests.
“When it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail.
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“At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.
“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”
Budensiek added officers believed Woods was “impaired on medication”.
He said Woods had been driving at “high speed” and his vehicle tipped on to its side and then “slid for a pretty decent space before he came to a stop”.
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The speed limit on the road in question was 30mph.
The driver of the other vehicle, who had been slowing to turn into a driveway off the two-lane road, was also unhurt.
Woods underwent emergency surgery after suffering multiple leg injuries following a serious car accident in California in February 2021.
He was sidelined for 15 months and his appearances since have been sporadic due to numerous other injury setbacks.
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He was also arrested on suspicion of DUI offences in 2017 after being found asleep at the wheel of his car in Jupiter, Florida. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving after it emerged he had had five prescription drugs in his system at the time.
In 2009 he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home an incident that led to a spectacular unravelling of his private life.
This latest accident comes after Woods returned to competitive action for the first time in over a year on the final night of play in the indoor TGL competition on Tuesday.
Woods had said afterwards that he hoped he would be fit enough to play at the Masters next month.
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Commenting on the crash, United States president Donald Trump told reporters: “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty.
“There was an accident. That’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man.”
It has been an open secret in the tight circle around Tiger Woods for years: If you want to have a serious conversation with Woods — about his charity and architecture work; about the future of the PGA Tour; about his 15 wins in Grand Slam events — you do it in the morning. Woods, famously, is a poor sleeper and an early riser. The broad picture you get, from people in position to know, is that if you’re in the circle, you can get him early. As his days wear on, Woods becomes less available and less predictable. This is not idle, mean-spirited speculation. More like observations borne in care, if not worry.
At around 2 p.m. Friday, Woods flipped his Range Rover on narrow, two-lane Beach Road, near his home on Jupiter Island, in South Florida. He “blew zeroes,” in the parlance of DWI investigations — he had not been drinking. He refused to submit a urine sample but police officers surmised that he was on prescribed drugs to address the pain from his many surgeries and back issues.
The officers saw what they saw and heard what they heard. Woods was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence — the influence of something. He was taken to the Martin County jail, where he spent at least eight hours, as county law requires in these scenarios. At around 10 p.m., Woods’s mug shot began circulating on social media.
As the Martin County sheriff described the accident scene with clear-eyed professionalism, Woods tried to pass a truck towing a pressure-washer heading north on narrow residential road with no shoulders and a 30 mile-an-hour speed limit. The truck driver was about to turn into a driveway. Woods, in the sheriff’s description, caught a back corner of the trailer with the passenger side of his Range Rover, causing the SUV to rollover 90 degrees, so that the driver’s side doors were face down on the road. Woods escaped the vehicle by way of the passenger door. There were no injuries. Had the vehicles been going in opposite directions, “this could have been a lot worse,” said the sheriff, John Budensiek. Both for Woods and the other driver.
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If this all sounds depressingly familiar, it’s because it is. In 2017, Woods was arrested by Jupiter Police department in South Florida at about 3 in the morning on a DUI charge. He was found asleep and incoherent on the side of four-lane road, about 10 miles south of the scene of his Friday crash. He spent that night in the Palm Beach County Jail. A breath test that night revealed that Woods had not been drinking but a blood test revealed he had five prescription drugs in his bloodstream.
In 2021, about 22 months after his stirring win in the 2019 Masters, early on a dry weekday morning in Southern California, Woods drove off a rural road, over a median, across two lanes and down a ravine. His vehicle was stopped by a tree, pirouetted and flipped. Woods’s injuries were extensive and his golfing life was permanently compromised. Asked once in a press conference to explain the incident, Woods said tersely, “It’s all in the police report.” But police reports revealed nothing about Woods’s state of mind in the single-vehicle crash. A report did indicate that, per the car’s black-box recording device, Woods had the gas pedal virtually floored through the incident, driving well over 80 miles an hour in a 45-mph zone. Los Angeles County police officials did not test Woods for drugs or alcohol and no arrest was made.
In 2008, in the middle of a night during the Thanksgiving weekend holiday, Woods ran over a hydrant outside his home in the gated Isleworth housing development. There were no tests for drugs or alcohol in that incident, either. The crash rendered Woods bleeding and unconscious. In the weeks and months to come his private life was exposed for the world to see.
Looking at these four incidents, it is easy and convenient to say what Woods needs is a full-time driver. That may be true, but Woods is a deeply controlling person. You almost never see Woods as a passenger. Leaving and arriving from hundreds of tournaments over the years, Woods is almost always the person doing the driving. It’s hard to imagine Woods with a chauffeur, and he’s been incredibly lucky not to have hurt others in these incidents. But when you do some rough human math on these four events, you reach the same conclusion again and again: It’s not easy, being Tiger Woods.
It’s not easy being an inherently shy person who is one of the most famous people in the world. It’s not easy leading a public life when your private life has been revealed to the world. It’s not easy being a single father even when you have all the financial resources in the world. It’s not easy becoming singularly talented at one difficult thing — playing tournament golf like nobody before has ever played it — and then to have to find meaning in your life when that chapter of your life is over.
There is unlikely to be a consequential legal event here, as a result of this Friday arrest. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Woods still show up at the Champions Dinner at Augusta National in less than two weeks. His m.o. has always been move on, move on, move on. Tiger Woods is 50 years old. Like all of us, he has no promised tomorrows. He is in charge of his own life as all of us are in charge of our own lives. He’s always putting up a brave front. There are holes in it. We can see them. It doesn’t matter what we can see. What matters is what he can see.
;)
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