Tiger Woods Pleads Not Guilty To Dui, Says He Will 'seek Treatment And Focus On My Health'

Shortly aft his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty, Tiger Woods announced he will activity curen “to prioritize my well-being and activity toward lasting recovery.”

The play fable was arrested Friday connected suspicion of DUI pinch spot harm and refusal to taxable to a urinalysis stemming from a rollover clang adjacent his location connected Jupiter Island, Fla. Hydrocodone pills were recovered successful his pouch and a sheriff’s lawman noted successful nan apprehension affidavit that Woods had bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils and was “sweating profusely” while performing section sobriety tests.

Attorney Douglas Duncan appeared successful Martin County, Fla., tribunal Tuesday, waived arraignment connected Woods’ behalf, entered not blameworthy pleas connected nan 2 misdemeanor charges and requested a proceedings by jury.

Hours later, Woods posted a connection to his societal media accounts:

“I cognize and understand nan seriousness of nan business I find myself successful today. I americium stepping distant for a play of clip to activity curen and attraction connected my health. This is basal successful bid for maine to prioritize my well-being and activity toward lasting recovery.

“I’m committed to taking nan clip needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and much focused place, some personally and professionally. I admit your knowing and support, and inquire for privateness for my family, loved ones and myself astatine this time.”

Although he hadn’t committed to playing, Woods had been toying pinch returning to title for nan first clip since 2024 astatine adjacent week’s Masters astatine Augusta National Golf Club, wherever he has won 5 championships.

Now he won’t moreover make an appearance, fto unsocial play. Woods was scheduled to be nan opening of “The Patch,” a municipal play people successful Augusta that he helped redesign. He besides was expected to be nan yearly Champions Dinner connected April 7.

“Augusta National Golf Club and nan Masters Tournament afloat support Tiger Woods arsenic he focuses connected his well-being,” Masters president Fred Ridley said successful a statement. “Although Tiger will not beryllium joining america successful personification adjacent week, his beingness will beryllium felt present successful Augusta.”

Woods, 50, past competed connected nan PGA Tour successful July 2024 erstwhile he missed nan trim astatine nan Open Championship, posting an 8-over 79 and 6-over 77 astatine Royal Troon. It marked his 3rd consecutive missed trim successful a awesome that year.

Widely considered nan top golfer of each time, Woods has amassed 82 PGA Tour wins, including 15 majors. He has competed sporadically nan past 4 years because of injuries, but has go an progressively important fig disconnected nan course, serving arsenic president of nan PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee and serving connected nan tour’s Enterprises Board, Policy Board and Player Advisory Council.

When arrested Friday, Woods was asked if he had immoderate aesculapian conditions. He replied that he has had 7 backmost surgeries and astatine slightest 20 limb operations.

He besides has had respective car accidents.

Around Thanksgiving 2009, a study that Woods had been successful a car mishap adjacent his location erupted into a awesome scandal involving allegations of affairs. It resulted successful Woods’ divorcement from Elin Nordegren, nan mother of his children.

In 2021, Woods was earnestly injured successful a rollover clang adjacent Rancho Palos Verdes nan greeting aft nan Genesis Invitational, which he hosted astatine Riviera Country Club. He had to beryllium extricated from nan wreckage of nan Genesis GV80 SUV that he was driving

Woods underwent “a agelong surgical procedure” connected his little correct limb and ankle, according to a connection he released. Doctors inserted a rod into his limb and placed screws into his ft and ankle.