April 1 (UPI) — Tiger Woods will “step away” from golf, including the 2026 Masters Tournament, and seek treatment in response to his DUI arrest, he announced on social media.
Woods, who was arrested and released Friday from a Stuart, Fla. jail, announced his decision Tuesday night. The 15-time major champion said last week that he planned to attend the Masters and was “trying to make progress” to compete.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods wrote on X and Instagram. “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.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understand and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
Woods, 50, faces charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test. He entered a not guilty plea and a demand for a jury trail Tuesday in Martin County Circuit Court in Stuart, records show. Woods also waived an arraignment hearing, which was scheduled for April 23.
He has a docket hearing set for May 5.Golfer Tiger Woods is pictured in his booking photo taken on Friday following his arrest for DUI. Photo by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office
An arrest affidavit, obtained Tuesday by UPI from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, said Woods told police he was looking at his cellphone and changing the radio station and didn’t realize that the truck in front of him had “slowed down” before his black Land Rover hit a trailer being pulled by the Ford F-150 on Friday in Jupiter Island, Fla.
The Land Rover rolled onto its driver’s side before Woods exited the passenger side and was eventually met by officers from the Jupiter Island Police Department and Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
The officers said they observed signs of impairment and noticed Woods was “sweating profusely” while sitting in a vehicle, which had cool air flowing. They also observed his movement to be “lethargic and slow” and watched him limp and stumble. Woods, who police said had bloodshot and glassy eyes with “extremely dilated” pupils, submitted a 0.00 reading on a breathalyzer test, but later failed to accurately follow instructions on several field sobriety tests.
Woods, who was arrested on a separate DUI charge in 2017 and said at that time he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine, told police he also took prescription medication Friday morning. An officer found two hydrocodone pills inside his pants pocket during a search.
Woods pled guilty to reckless driving, while the DUI charge was dropped from the 2017 incident. A toxicology report found that he had Vicodin, Xanax, Ambien, Dilaudid and THC in his system during that arrest.
Attorney Douglas Duncan, who represented Woods on Tuesday in Martin County Circuit Court, also represented him in 2017.
The golf icon, who ended a 13-month hiatus from official playing events last week at the TGL Finals in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., told police Friday that he previously underwent seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg.
“Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course,” the PGA Tour said in a statement,
“But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well‑being. Tiger continues to have our full support as he takes this important step.”
The 2026 Masters will be held April 9 to 12 in Augusta, Ga.
“Augusta National Golf Club and the Maters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being,” Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement. “Although Tiger Will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here at Augusta.”
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