The deputy who arrested Tiger Woods on suspicion of driving under the influence said Woods had and showed signs of impairment at last week in Florida, according to her arrest report released Tuesday.
Woods announced Tuesday evening on the social media platform X that he would to 鈥減rioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.鈥� The announcement came hours after he pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge in connection with the crash.
The arrest report for Woods sheds light on the circumstances that led to his second DUI arrest 鈥� the latest off-course trouble for the pro golfer whose name is .
Martin County Sheriff鈥檚 deputy Tatiana Levenar reported that Woods told her he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when his Land Rover that was traveling at high speeds clipped the back of a truck on a residential road on Jupiter Island. Woods nor the driver of the truck were injured.
After the truck driver and another person helped Woods crawl out of the overturned vehicle, Levenar made contact with him, and detailed the interactions that led to his arrest on suspicion of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Here’s what she reported:
Woods was carrying pills, deputy says
A deputy found two white pills in Woods鈥� pants pocket while searching him after the crash. The marks on the pills identified them as hydrocodone, according to the report. Hydrocodone is an opioid that is prescribed for pain, and was among the potentially addictive medications that were central to .
Woods has had on his legs and back over the last two decades. Some of the surgeries were to treat injuries including cartilage and ligament damage, a ruptured tendon, arthritis, and damaged discs in his back.
The deputy wrote in the report that during a field sobriety test, she observed Woods limping and a compression sock over his right knee. He told the deputy that he takes a few prescription medications, according to the report, including 鈥淰icodin鈥� 鈥� a brand name drug containing hydrocodone that was taken off the market several years ago. People still commonly refer to generic hydrocodone medications as Vicodin.
Woods eyes were bloodshot and glassy, deputy says
Woods told Levenar he had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg, so she had him sit on the bumper of the patrol vehicle while she assessed him for any indications of intoxication. He was sweating profusely and his movement was 鈥渓ethargic and slow,鈥� she wrote.
鈥淥nce Woods removed his sunglasses, I observed his eyes to be bloodshot and glassy, I observed his pupils to be extremely dilated,鈥� she wrote. Woods denied consuming alcohol or taking any illegal substances, she said.
He told deputies he did not realize the truck in front of him had slowed down.
Levenar said she had to repeat the instructions to Woods several times while conducting the sobriety tests, and he did not perform some of the exercises correctly.
鈥淏ased on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge and experience, I believed that Woods normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle,鈥� Levenar wrote.
Woods took a breath test but refused a urine test
At the jail, Woods agreed to perform a breath test to determine any blood alcohol content, the deputy wrote. He agreed, and those tests showed no signs of alcohol.
The golfer declined to submit to a urine test, however.
His refusal under a change to Florida law last year, and a legal expert says prosecutors can build a DUI case against him even without lab results.
Orlando defense attorney David Hill says prosecutors can use deputy testimony, and any video from the investigation showing that Woods had bloodshot eyes or other signs of intoxication. Hill isn’t involved in Woods’ case.
Meanwhile, defense attorneys can point to the lack of any lab results or other scientific evidence to potentially argue that there isn’t enough evidence to convict, Hill said.
According to Levenar’s report, the deputies’ encounters with Woods were captured on body, car and jail room cameras.
A look at Woods’ prior DUI arrest
Woods was arrested in 2017 for a DUI, and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving in connection to the case. At the time, he said he had taken a bad mix of painkillers when authorities found him asleep behind the wheel of his car. The engine was still running and the driver’s side of the vehicle was damaged.
Woods says he will seek treatment
In a post on X, Woods wrote that he would seek treatment and asked for privacy for himself and his family.
鈥淭his is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,鈥� he wrote. 鈥滻’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally.”
Officials with the PGA Tour 鈥� where Woods is a board member 鈥� have not yet commented.
Woods hasn’t said whether he will play in the Masters
In his statement, Woods did not mention , which starts April 9. Unlike regular tournaments, Woods does not have to enter or commit to playing until the morning of the first round. He is eligible for life as a Masters champion. Players typically will inform Augusta National of their plans before the tee times are announced April 7.
Woods was scheduled to appear with Masters chairman Fred Ridley on Sunday at 鈥淭he Patch,鈥� a municipal course in Augusta, Georgia, that has been refurbished and where Woods designed a short course called 鈥淭he Loop.鈥�
Augusta National has not commented on his status.
___
AP journalists Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, and Doug Ferguson in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed to this report. Boone reported from Boise, Idaho.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
