Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving after March 2026 Florida crash
Consensus Summary
Tiger Woods is changing his not guilty plea to no contest in a Florida DUI case following a March rollover crash near his Jupiter Island home. The crash occurred shortly before 2pm on 27 March when Woods’s vehicle clipped a truck on a 30mph road, overturned, and he was arrested for driving under the influence and refusing a urine test. Though a breath test showed no alcohol, Woods had two pain pills in his pocket and exhibited signs of impairment. He later pleaded no contest to reckless driving and refusing testing, with his license suspended for five years and fines imposed. Woods has a history of crashes, including a 2021 Los Angeles incident and a 2009 SUV crash into a fire hydrant. He has not competed in PGA Tour events since July 2024 and remains a 15-time major champion, last winning the 2019 Masters. The case highlights ongoing struggles with prescription medications and his career setbacks.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tiger Woods plans to change his not guilty plea in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida in March
- The crash occurred on a road with a 30mph limit
- Woods was driving a Land Rover that overturned after clipping a truck shortly before 2pm on 27 March
- Woods told investigators he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when the collision occurred
- Woods refused to provide a urine sample for drug testing after a breath test showed no alcohol
- Woods was arrested in 2009 after crashing his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree outside his home in Florida
- Woods has not competed in an official PGA Tour event since July 2024
- Woods is a 15-time major champion, last winning at the 2019 Masters
- Woods was fined court costs and his license was suspended for five years
- Woods pleaded no contest to reckless driving and refusing to submit to testing
- Woods had two pain pills in his pocket at the time of the crash
- Woods was involved in a serious crash in February 2021 in Los Angeles
- Woods was arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 in south Florida
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Woods is due to appear in Martin County circuit court at 8.30am on Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing before judge Darren Steele
- Woods had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test
- Woods told officers he had taken several medications earlier that day, including drugs for high blood pressure and cholesterol as well as ibuprofen and Vicodin
- Woods spoke of '10 to 15 drones' equipped with GoPro cameras flying over his home and car after the crash
- Woods told an officer he had 'just [been] talking to the president' before trailing off
- Woods was first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997
- Woods is tied with Sam Snead for the most PGA Tour victories (82)
- Woods has had a seventh back procedure and a ruptured Achilles tendon
- Woods caused $US5000 ($A7000) in damage to the truck
- Woods has been involved in four crashes since 2009
- Judge Darren Steele approved an agreement in July allowing prosecutors to review medical records related to Woods’ crash and arrest
- A similar agreement in May granted prosecutors access to all prescription medication records for Woods at a Palm Beach pharmacy from the start of the year through the end of March
- Woods failed a sobriety test in March after crashing his car near his home in Martin County, Florida
- Woods denied drinking any alcohol but told deputies he had taken 'a few' prescription medications that day and had prescription opioids in his pocket
- Woods crossed over double solid lines on a residential street and 'maneuvered around' another vehicle with an attached trailer
- Woods’ Land Rover struck the trailer, causing his SUV to flip onto its driver’s side
- Woods was fined US$1500 (A$2092) in addition to the license suspension
- Woods made a public appearance on June 23 to introduce the PGA Tour’s plans to revamp its schedule for 2028
- Woods was accompanied to court by his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law
- Woods spoke very little during the hearing and sat at the defence table, looking back at the courtroom gallery
- Woods left the courthouse without addressing reporters
- Woods had pleaded not guilty to the original DUI charge
- Woods remained as chairman of the tour’s Future Competition Committee after his arrest
- Woods congratulated PGA Tour golfer Scottie Scheffler on winning the Tour Championship and surpassing Woods for the most PGA Tour career earnings
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states Woods was driving on a narrow two-lane road with a 30mph limit, while 7NEWS and ABC describe it as a beachside residential road with a 30mph limit
- The Guardian mentions Woods was driving a Land Rover, while 7NEWS and ABC refer to it as an SUV
- The Guardian says Woods was alone in the vehicle, but 7NEWS and ABC do not specify the number of occupants
- The Guardian states Woods was driving a Land Rover that overturned after he attempted to overtake a truck, while 7NEWS and ABC say Woods crossed over double solid lines and 'maneuvered around' another vehicle with an attached trailer
- The Guardian says Woods was driving at a 'high rate of speed' on a road with a 30mph limit, while 7NEWS and ABC do not explicitly mention speed but describe reckless driving
Source Articles
Tiger Woods set for plea change in Florida DUI case after rollover crash
Woods plans to change not guilty plea in DUI case Change-of-plea hearing set for 8.30am Wednesday Charges stem from March rollover crash in Florida Tiger Woods plans to change his not guilty plea in the DUI case stemming from a rollover crash near his Florida home earlier this year, according to court documents filed on Tuesday. The 50-year-old golf star is due to appear in Martin County circuit court at 8.30am on Wednesday for a change-of-plea hearing before judge Darren Steele. Woods had previ
Tiger Woods set to change not guilty plea in surprise court appearance stemming from rollover crash
The troubled golf legend has not spoken publicly in months but is now expected to appear in front of a judge.
Tiger Woods loses driving licence for five years after plea deal
The champion golfer submits a no contest pleas to a reckless driving charge after a crash near his Florida home in March.
Tiger Woods agrees to plea deal with a lesser charge after DUI arrest as judge suspends driver’s licence for five years
‘For the safety of the public, if you drive, you will immediately go back to jail.’
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