Golf great Tiger Woods was officially charged with two misdemeanors this week — driving under the influence with property damage and refusing to submit to a chemical or physical test following his single-vehicle rollover crash late last month.
According to the arrest affidavit, Woods attempted to pass a truck by crossing the double line and speeding, striking the vehicle and flipping his Range Rover onto its side. No one was seriously injured in the incident.
"I looked down at my phone ... and all of a sudden - acceleration," Woods said in the bodycam footage.
He also called President Trump after the crash and just before failing some field sobriety tests, seemingly trying to dissuade authorities from turning him in.
Officers at the scene observed "severe signs of impairment", including bloodshot eyes, extremely dilated pupils, excessive sweating and an unsteady gait. A breathalyzer test found no alcohol, but Woods refused blood or urine tests to check for other substances. Officers later found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket.
Woods was arrested that afternoon on suspicion of DUI with property damage, booked and released on bond a few hours later. He has since entered a not guilty plea and requested a jury trial.
Tiger Woods officially charged with DUI Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/wMueF1QUzK pic.twitter.com/16GIoeGS1n
- TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) 8 April 2026
The 15-time major champion has retained criminal defense attorney Douglas Duncan, the same attorney who represented him in a 2017 DUI case in Florida that ended with a guilty plea to reckless driving.
Four days after the accident, Woods released a statement announcing that he would step away from golf for treatment and focus on his health. "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation in which I find myself today," he wrote.
"I am taking some time away to receive treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery."
Court documents indicate Woods has already been cleared to travel abroad for treatment. The charge comes at a critical moment for the golfer, who has battled multiple back surgeries and other injuries in recent years and was preparing for a limited 2026 schedule that included the Masters. He will not compete at Augusta National this year.
The formal arraignment on April 7 marks the latest chapter in a case that has faced intense public scrutiny.
A court date has not yet been set. Any misdemeanor conviction carries the potential for a prison sentence as the statutory maximum penalty. However, this seems unlikely.
If convicted, the misdemeanor charge can carry a fine, probation and possible license suspension, although the penalty will depend on the outcome of any plea negotiations or trial.
