Tiger Woods ‘stepping away’ for treatment after DUI arrest

Golf star Tiger Woods said on Tuesday that he was stepping away to seek treatment and focus on his health after he was arrested on charges of driving under influence (DUI) following his rollover car crash in Florida last week.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself ​in today,” he said in a statement published on social media platform X.

“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.”

Tiger Woods pleads not guilty 

Woods was driving his Land Rover last Friday when it clipped a pickup truck and rolled over on its side near his Jupiter Island home.

No injuries were reported in the incident but the 50-year-old golfer was forced to exit his vehicle from the passenger’s side door.

Officers at the scene assessed him to be impaired and found two opioid pain pills in his pocket.

Woods was charged with suspicion of misdemeanor DUI with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test.

He did not submit to urine tests after a breathalyzer test showed no alcohol in his system.

He was released on bail later that night.

Earlier on Tuesday, the online court docket for Martin County showed that Woods had entered a written plea of not guilty and was planning to waive his April 23 arraignment hearing.

Woods is a 15-time major champion and is touted as the greatest golfer ‌of his generation.

No Masters for Tiger Woods — again

Woods’ decision to take time away means he would miss the Masters — where is a five-time champion — for a second consecutive year.

Fans were hoping to see the pro-golfer tee it up at the tournament taking place from April 9 to 12.

Last week saw Woods making a return to competitive golf at the indoor TGL Finals, which combines elements of simulated golf with traditional play.

Woods said in his Tuesday statement that he was committed to taking the ​time needed to return ‌in a “healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally.”

This would be the second time the golfer has taken a leave of absence after a car crash.

In 2009, his car rammed into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home near Orlando. He then announced a break to work on being a better person.

In another car crash in Los Angeles in 2021, Woods damaged his right leg so severely that he said doctors mulled an amputation.

Report gives account of Woods’ arrest

During his field sobriety test on Friday, officers noticed Woods — who had compression sock over his right knee — limping, an accident report from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.

Woods explained he had undergone over 20 surgeries on his right leg and his ankle seizes up while walking, the report said.

As per the report, Woods told authorities that he was looking down at his phone and switching radio stations and did not realize the truck in front of him had slowed down.

Authorities also said that he was observed to be lethargic, slow, “sweating profusely,” with bloodshot eyes, pupils that were “extremely dilated” and was hiccuping during questioning.

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru