Tiger Woods pleaded no contest Wednesday to a reckless driving charge and had his driver’s license suspended for five years following a March rollover crash in Florida, where he initially faced a drunken-driving charge.
Woods, 50, remains one of golf’s most influential figures and one of the world’s most recognizable athletes. But his career has taken a dramatic turn since he won the 2019 Masters for his 15th major championship.
The first player of Black heritage to win the Masters, Woods made history with his 1997 victory at Augusta National. Since then, his career has been repeatedly disrupted by back and knee surgeries, car crashes and an addiction to pain medication.
Woods was arrested in March after his SUV struck a truck and rolled onto its side on a residential road near his home on Jupiter Island. According to a sheriff’s report, deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and said he showed signs of impairment.
Woods passed a Breathalyzer test but refused to provide a urine sample, according to the report. He initially pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge.
During Wednesday’s hearing in Martin County, Woods sat quietly at the defense table and occasionally looked toward the mostly empty courtroom gallery. He said little as he agreed to the reduced charge.
Woods left the courthouse without speaking to reporters.
He had arrived with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law. She sat behind him during the proceedings.
"Tiger is not absolved of accountability and he surrendered his license for the next five years," Mark Steinberg, his longtime manager at Excel Sports, told The Associated Press (AP). "He is continuing his treatment and prioritizing all aspects of his health."
The prosecutor in the case said two toxicologists found there was insufficient proof of impairment and determined Woods had built up a "pharmacological" tolerance after years of using pain pills.
Thomas Bakkedahl, a state attorney, defended his decision to accept the plea, saying, "I did what I think is right."
Prosecutors obtained the golfer’s pharmacy records, which showed he had a lawful prescription, Bakkedahl said.
The deputy who arrested Woods after the crash found two white pills in his pocket that had markings identifying them as hydrocodone, according to the arrest report. Hydrocodone is an opioid prescribed for pain and can be addictive.
Woods told the deputy he takes a few prescription medications, according to the report, including "Vicodin," a brand-name painkiller that contains hydrocodone.
He has had numerous surgeries on his legs and back over the last two decades, some to treat cartilage and ligament damage, a ruptured tendon, arthritis and damaged discs in his back.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Woods also pleaded no contest to refusing to submit to testing after the crash and was fined $1,500, according to court documents. A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt but means the accused does not contest the charge. The plea is treated as a conviction in the criminal justice system.
Andrew Buda, a defense lawyer in Tampa who is not involved in the case, said a positive drug result from a urine test would not have been strong evidence against Woods because prescription medications can remain in the body for extended periods.
"A reduced plea to reckless driving is a plausible and unremarkable outcome, not evidence of special treatment," said Buda, a former prosecutor. "A defendant with a good attorney who took the same steps, disclosure, mitigation, treatment, could reasonably expect a similar outcome under the same facts."
Woods’ attorney has not responded to a message seeking comment.
Judge Darren Steele warned Woods that his driver’s license suspension did not include exceptions.
"If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would immediately go back to jail," the judge told Woods.
The prosecutor said he was confident that Woods would be spotted if he did not heed the message.
"Of all the people in the world who should not get behind the wheel of a car, it’s the gentleman who is one of the most recognizable faces on the planet," Bakkedahl said.
But there’s one vehicle Woods still can drive, at least in Florida: a golf cart.
That’s because Florida law says that as long as you are at least 18, you can operate a golf cart without a license. That applies to anyone, Bakkedahl said in an email, whether they are on a golf course or public property.
Body camera footage shows Woods taking out his phone after the crash and telling a deputy, "I was just talking to the president."
Woods can be heard saying, "Thank you so much," as he hangs up and the deputy approaches. It is not clear if Woods was referring to President Donald Trump.
The footage also shows the handcuffed Woods hiccupping, yawning and repeatedly appearing to nod off during the 15-minute ride.
Neither Woods nor the person in the other vehicle was injured in the crash, according to officials. Woods told a deputy that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he hit the truck.
In Washington, Trump told reporters that the resolution of the case was fair.
"I told him that a long time ago, ‘Why don’t you get somebody to drive you?’ So he’s going to have somebody drive him from now on," the president said Wednesday. "And, you know, he’s just a very special guy. I’m glad that was resolved."
Woods has been involved in four crashes over the years. He took a leave from the golf tour after the 2009 crash and again after the latest crash and has yet to return to tournament play.
He left the United States to seek treatment at an inpatient treatment facility, according to court records.
Woods made his first public appearance since returning from treatment on June 23, when he introduced the PGA Tour’s plans to revamp its schedule for 2028. Woods remained chairman of the tour’s Future Competition Committee after his arrest.
