Tiger Woods banned from driving for 5 years after Florida crash; Charge under the influence of alcohol fell

Tiger Woods had his driver’s license suspended for five years on Wednesday after reaching a plea deal in a case stemming from a March car crash in Florida.

The 50-year-old golf superstar had pleaded not guilty to lesser charges of careless and reckless driving, while the more serious DUI charge he originally faced was dropped under the deal.

During a brief live hearing at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart, Fla., Judge Darren Steele warned Woods of the consequences of driving while suspended.

“If you were to drive for any reason, you would be going straight back to jail,” Steele told Woods.

Tiger Woods crash in Florida

Woods was involved in a car accident on March 27 near his home on Jupiter Island, Florida. His SUV hit a truck pulling a trailer and overturned while trying to pass on a residential road.

Authorities determined that Woods had not been drinking, but said he appeared impaired. Investigators found two pills containing hydrocodone, an opioid pain reliever, in his possession.

Woods originally pleaded guilty to charges of DUI with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test. He told authorities he was looking at his phone and switching radio channels when the crash happened.

He was subsequently jailed and released on bail.

The DUI charge dropped through a plea deal

The DUI charge was eventually dropped as part of a plea deal, with Woods agreeing to plead no contest to lesser driving charges.

The case comes after a series of serious health problems for the 15-time major champion. Woods underwent multiple back surgeries and suffered serious leg injuries in a 2021 car accident in California.

After the accident in March, Woods said he “stepped down” to seek treatment and focus on his health. He later traveled outside the United States for treatment at an inpatient facility, reportedly in Switzerland.

Woods is returning to the public spotlight

Woods made his first public appearance since his arrest at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship in June, where he introduced PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.

Rolapp has announced a new competition structure for the PGA Tour to take effect in 2028.