Golf legend Tiger Woods faces his fourth DUI arrest after authorities discovered hydrocodone pills in his pocket following a single-vehicle crash near his Jupiter Island, Florida home on March 28, 2026. The 50-year-old billionaire athlete allegedly clipped another vehicle before flipping his luxury Land Rover, crawling from the wreckage with visible signs of impairment that raised immediate concerns among responding officers.
What Officers Found at the Scene
Martin County Sheriff’s deputies recovered two pills marked “M367” from Woods’ left pants pocket after the crash. Laboratory testing confirmed the pills contained hydrocodone, a powerful opioid painkiller used to treat chronic pain. When questioned about prescription medications, Woods reportedly told officers “I take a few,” admitting he had consumed some earlier that morning. The arrest report noted his eyes appeared bloodshot and glassy, with extremely dilated pupils. Woods was sweating profusely and exhibited lethargic, slow movements throughout the investigation.
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Deputies administered field sobriety tests at the crash site. Woods, wearing a compression sock on his right knee and visibly limping, explained his extensive medical history to officers. He disclosed seven back surgeries and over 20 leg operations, providing context for his apparent physical limitations. Despite his compromised physical state, the report described Woods as extremely alert and talkative, though he experienced persistent hiccups throughout the entire investigation that lasted several hours.
The Crash Investigation Details
According to the official affidavit, Woods told investigators he was distracted by his cell phone and changing the radio station when the accident occurred. He failed to notice the vehicle ahead slowing down before striking it. The collision caused his SUV to overturn just minutes from his residence. A breathalyzer test detected absolutely zero alcohol in his system, definitively ruling out drinking as a factor. However, Woods refused to submit to a urinalysis test at the scene, which authorities noted in their report.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed no drugs or medications were discovered inside the wrecked vehicle itself. All controlled substances found were on Woods’ person. Deputies charged the golf champion with driving under the influence with property damage and refusing a lawful test. Both charges carry significant legal consequences in Florida.
A Pattern of Traffic Incidents
This arrest marks Woods’ fourth vehicle-related incident. His 2017 DUI bust remains the most infamous, when police found him unconscious behind the wheel with the engine running, turn signal activated, and two flat tires on his damaged vehicle. In February 2021, Woods suffered severe leg and ankle injuries after driving his SUV off a coastal Los Angeles road at high speed. The latest incident raises fresh concerns about his physical condition and ability to compete at golf’s highest level, with CBS Sports executives reportedly navigating how to address the situation during upcoming Masters coverage.