Tiger Woods is preparing to alter his not guilty plea in connection with a DUI case that arose from a rollover crash near his residence in Jupiter Island, Florida, earlier this year. According to court documents submitted on Tuesday, the 50-year-old golf icon is scheduled to appear in Martin County circuit court at 8:30 AM on Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing before Judge Darren Steele.
Woods had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test. However, the recent filing did not specify what plea he intends to enter or provide additional details regarding the expected change.
The charges against Woods stem from an incident that occurred on March 27, 2026, in Hobe Sound, just a short distance from his home. According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, Woods was driving a Land Rover when he attempted to overtake a truck on a narrow two-lane road shortly before 2 PM. The truck was slowing down to turn into a driveway when Woods approached at what was described as a "high rate of speed" on a road with a 30 mph speed limit. His vehicle clipped a trailer, veered off, and ultimately came to rest on its driver’s side after sliding along the roadway.
Fortunately, Woods was alone in the vehicle and managed to exit through the passenger side without sustaining any injuries. However, investigators reported that he exhibited signs of impairment and was subjected to roadside sobriety tests before being taken into custody.
A breath test conducted at the scene revealed no alcohol in Woods's system; however, he refused to provide a urine sample for further drug testing. Woods informed investigators that he had taken several medications earlier that day, including those for high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as ibuprofen and the prescription painkiller Vicodin, as noted in court filings released by prosecutors.
In addition to the circumstances surrounding the crash, the filings included a series of unusual comments made by Woods to officers at the scene. Approximately an hour after the incident, he mentioned seeing "10 to 15 drones" equipped with GoPro cameras flying over his home and vehicle. At another moment, Woods claimed to have been in conversation with the president, though the documents did not clarify which president he referred to. Later that day, former President Donald Trump confirmed he had spoken with Woods following the crash.
Woods also stated that he had been looking down at his phone to change the radio station when the collision occurred. Prosecutors subsequently sought access to Woods's prescription records from the months leading up to the crash, but his attorneys objected, arguing that the records were private and requesting a judge's determination on their relevance to the case.
In the wake of his arrest, Woods announced that he would step away from golf to prioritize his health and seek treatment. A Florida judge granted him permission to travel abroad for inpatient treatment, which his attorney described as necessary for an intensive, individualized program.
This incident marks yet another high-profile traffic event in Woods's career. In February 2021, he suffered severe injuries after his SUV veered off a coastal road in Los Angeles, leading to significant leg and ankle injuries that almost resulted in amputation. Additionally, he faced a DUI arrest in 2017 after being found asleep behind the wheel of a damaged vehicle, ultimately pleading guilty to reckless driving.
Woods's history of incidents on the road dates back to 2009 when he crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree outside his home in Windermere, Florida. Over the past few years, Woods has struggled with chronic pain, injuries, and multiple surgeries, including a seventh back procedure and a ruptured Achilles tendon. He has not participated in an official PGA Tour event since July 2024, despite being an 82-time winner on the tour, tied with Sam Snead for the most victories in history.
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