Tiger Woods, the renowned professional golfer, has been banned from driving for five years under a plea agreement with prosecutors, in which he admitted to reckless driving instead of charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Foreign news agencies reported on 2 Sep 2026 that Tiger Woods, the world-famous golfer, agreed not to contest the reckless driving charge as part of a deal with prosecutors to reduce penalties from the original charge of driving under the influence (DUI) following a rollover accident in Florida.
The famous golfer accepted a five-year suspension of his driver's license and a fine of $1,000 (about 32,000 baht) under the plea agreement with prosecutors in Martin County, Florida.
Woods was arrested following a March accident in which no one else was injured; only Woods had to crawl out through the passenger side door to escape.
After the incident, he agreed to a breathalyzer test but refused additional drug testing.
That same month, he denied misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and refusing to undergo testing. Woods, aged 50, said he was undergoing treatment after the incident.
In April, police released body camera footage showing the aftermath of the accident, depicting the golf legend after his vehicle collided with a truck and rolled over.
In the video, Woods appears calm, kneeling on one knee while telling officers, “I looked down at my phone, and suddenly, boom.”
Martin County Sheriff John Buncich said at the time that Woods passed a breathalyzer test but refused urine testing for other substances.
Woods told officers he had not consumed alcohol that day. When asked about prescribed medications, he replied, “I take a few,” adding he had taken some early that morning. He then listed the medications, but that portion of the video was censored.
Police told Woods they suspected his “normal cognitive faculties” were impaired by “an unknown substance.”
Later, officers reported finding two white pills in his pocket, confirmed as hydrocodone, an opioid painkiller commonly prescribed by doctors.
Woods posted on social media after the incident: “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I am facing today.”
“I will take some time off to undergo treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward sustainable physical recovery.”
This marks the second time Woods has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
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Source:bbc