Tiger Woods pleads not guilty to reckless driving after Florida crash
Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods pleaded reckless driving Wednesday after a rollover crash in Florida, ending a more serious DUI case against him. The 50-year-old golf legend will have his driver’s license suspended for five years and a $1,500 fine.
Woods initially pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge after his SUV clipped a truck and overturned on a residential road near his Jupiter Island home in March. Prosecutors later concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove impairment after two toxicologists reviewed the case and pharmacy records confirmed Woods had a legal prescription for the painkillers found on him.
Woods also pleaded not to submit to post-crash testing. A plea of no contest is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as a conviction in the criminal justice system. Woods, who arrived in court with his girlfriend Vanessa Trump, said little during the hearing and left without speaking to reporters.
His longtime manager Mark Steinberg said Woods remained responsible for the incident and continued to focus on his health.
“Tiger is not exonerated and has relinquished his license for the next five years,” Steinberg said, adding that Woods continues to receive treatment and prioritize “all aspects of his health.”
WHY WAS THE DUI CHARGE REDUCED
Deputies who arrived at the scene of the crash reported finding two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket and said he showed signs of impairment. Woods passed a breath test but refused to provide a urine samplewhile he told officers he was looking at his phone and flipping the radio before he hit the truck.
State’s Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl said two toxicologists found insufficient evidence to prove impairment and concluded that Woods had developed a pharmacological tolerance to painkillers after years of treatment.
“I did what I thought was right,” Bakkedahl said in defending the decision to accept the plea deal.
WOODS’ CAREER REMAINS
The case is another setback for Woods, whose career has been marred by multiple injuries, surgeries and crashes since winning the 2019 Masters.
He has yet to return to tournament golf after the crash in March and previously traveled outside the United States for hospitalization. Woods made his first public appearance since his return in June when he helped unveil plans for changes to the PGA Tour’s 2028 schedule.
The latest legal development leaves Woods’ license suspended until 2031, while his return to competitive golf remains uncertain. The 2019 Masters remains his last major win and final PGA Tour title for now, with his future on the course still unclear after another difficult chapter in his career.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
03 Sep 2026 08:27 IST