Tiger Woods takes break after Florida crash and arrest; pleads not guilty to DUI

Tiger Woods said he is stepping away to seek treatment four days after his vehicle crashed in Florida and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence He will miss the Masters for the second straight year This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery Woods said in social media postsWoods pleaded not guilty in his driving under the influence case in Florida on Tuesday hours after a sheriffs report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a trailer and rolled over on its side The online court docket for Martin County showed Woods entered a written plea of not guilty and planned to waive his April 23 arraignment hearingIts the second time Woods has taken a leave following a car crash In 2009 after his SUV plowed into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home near Orlando he took a leave of absence to work on being a better person That lasted four months and he returned at the Masters Woods showed signs of impairment Woods eyes were bloodshot and glassy his pupils dilated and he had opioid pills identified as hydrocodone on him when interviewed at the scene of the crash according to the arrest report released by the Martin County Sheriffs OfficeWoods movements were slow and lethargic he was sweating as he talked to deputies in the back seat of an airconditioned car and he told them he had taken prescription medication earlier in the morning according to the report Woods told deputies he had been looking at his phone and fiddling with the radio moments before he hit the trailer the report saidWoods has not played an official event since the 2024 British Open He was recovering from a seventh back surgery in October and was trying to return at the Masters where he is a fivetime champion Im committed to take the time needed to return in a healthier stronger and more focused place both personally and professionally Woods said in his statementHe is taking a break from the PGA Tour board that means a break from more than just golf He serves a key role on the PGA Tour board by leading its Future Competition Committee reshaping the schedule A tour spokesman said Woods did not take part in Tuesdays meeting and the work would continue in his absenceOver the last year I have come to deeply appreciate Tiger not only for his impact on the game but for his friendship and the perspective he has shared with me as I joined the golf industry said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp who started last summer My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step for which he has my full respect and supportWoods defense attorney Douglas Duncan didnt respond to an email and phone call after the plea was entered Tuesday Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30 mph nearly 50 kph when the accident occurred The truck had 5000 in damage according to the reportThe truck driver and another person helped Woods out of his vehicle through the passenger window Neither Woods nor the truck driver were injuredThe failed sobriety testDuring a field sobriety test deputies noticed Woods limping and that he had a compression sock over his right knee Woods explained he had undergone seven back surgeries and over 20 surgeries on his right leg and that his ankle seizes up while walkingWoods who was hiccupping during questioning continuously moved his head during one of the sobriety tests and deputies had to tell him several times to keep his head straight the report saidBased on my observations of Woods how he performed the exercises and based on my training knowledge and experience I believed that Woods normal faculties were impaired and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle the deputy wrote after the testsWoods 50 is the most influential figure in golf and has become as recognisable as any athlete in the world The first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997 he has captivated golf fans with records likely never to be brokenBut his injuries have kept him from accomplishing more including those suffered in the 2021 car crash in Los Angeles that damaged his right leg so badly he said doctors considered amputationAt this latest crash Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol but he refused a urine test authorities said He was arrested and released on bail eight hours laterWoods who has been involved in four crashes over the years is charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful testUnder a change to Florida law last year refusing a law enforcement officers request to take a breath blood or urine test became a misdemeanor even for a first offenceThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever