Golf’s most decorated champion, Tiger Woods, faces misdemeanor charges after his Land Rover rolled over on Jupiter Island, just days before the Masters
Golf legend Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on Friday, March 27, 2026, after his Land Rover rolled onto its side following a collision on South Beach Road in Jupiter Island, Florida, less than two weeks before the Masters tees off at Augusta National.
The crash happened shortly before 2 p.m., and no injuries were reported. Woods, 50, was alone in the vehicle and crawled out of the passenger door after the crash.
What happened on Jupiter Island
Woods was driving a dark Land Rover when he clipped a truck pulling a trailer. The truck’s driver told officials he was turning into a driveway off a two-lane road when he spotted Woods approaching at high speed in his mirror.
The sheriff confirmed that Woods was traveling at “a high rate of speed” when he collided with the other vehicle, causing his Land Rover to roll onto the driver’s side.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek addressed reporters at a press conference Friday evening.
“Our DUI investigators came to the scene here. And Mr. Woods did exemplify the signs of impairment,” Budensiek said.
Woods complied with a breathalyzer test but refused a urine test. He faces charges of DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a test — all misdemeanor charges.
Sheriff vows equal treatment
Sheriff Budensiek was direct when asked by reporters whether Woods would receive preferential treatment in custody.
“We are the Sheriff’s Office. We know we arrested a high-profile figure. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we are going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take,” he said.
Woods will be held in Martin County Jail for at least eight hours before he can post bond. The sheriff added that authorities would ensure Woods remains safe and would not be placed in the general population.
A pattern of trouble behind the wheel
Friday’s crash is not Woods’ first brush with danger or the law on the road.
In 2021, he was injured in a rollover crash in Rolling Hills Estates, Southern California, where authorities said he was driving at least twice the speed limit in a 45 mph zone.
His Genesis SUV struck a tree, sending the vehicle airborne. Woods suffered serious injuries and required multiple surgeries.
After that 2021 crash, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, Ambien, and THC were found in his system. He subsequently entered rehab for drug abuse treatment.
Friday’s arrest marks his second DUI-related arrest, following a 2017 Palm Beach County arrest where he pleaded guilty to reckless driving, paid a $250 fine, and completed DUI school.
Masters dreams now in serious doubt
The timing is devastating. On Tuesday, Woods made his season debut at TGL Golf — the professional indoor league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy, where his team, Jupiter Links, lost 9-2, though he did hit drives of over 300 yards.
Just days before the crash, Woods had spoken candidly about his desire to compete.
“This body just doesn’t recover like it did when I was 24 or 25. I want to play. I love the tournament. I love being there since I was 19 years old. I’m going to be there either way,” he told reporters.
President Donald Trump, who called Woods a “very close friend,” reacted with concern after news of the crash broke. “I feel so badly.
He’s got some difficulty. There was an accident, and that’s all I know. He’s an amazing person, amazing man,” Trump told reporters Friday.
What comes next
The 15-time major winner, who owns five Masters titles at Augusta National, had been noncommittal about playing at this year’s tournament, which begins April 9. Friday’s arrest — combined with his ongoing recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon and his seventh back surgery — makes that prospect virtually impossible.
For a man who has conquered cancer, catastrophic injury, and personal scandal to reclaim sporting greatness, this latest chapter raises a painful question: has the world’s greatest golfer finally run out of comebacks?
