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Tiger Woods, celebrated as one of golf’s greatest players with 15 major championships to his name, encountered a serious accident near his home on Jupiter Island, Florida, on March 27, 2026. Reports from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office indicate that Woods’ Land Rover collided with a trailer attached to a pickup truck, causing his vehicle to overturn. This incident led to his arrest under suspicion of driving under the influence after deputies noted signs of impairment. Although he tested negative for alcohol, Woods declined a urine test, and prescription pain medication was found on him, explaining why he performed some sobriety tests while seated.
Tiger Woods performed some of his sobriety tests seated on a patrol vehicle’s bumper following his March 2026 car crash
On that day, Tiger Woods’ vehicle accident unfolded dramatically as his Land Rover flipped on its side after hitting another vehicle on a residential street near his Florida residence, as reported by CNN. According to the arrest affidavit, Woods admitted to deputies that he was distracted by his phone and adjusting the car’s radio just before the crash. Despite having hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller, in his possession, a breathalyzer confirmed the absence of alcohol in his system.
Refusing the urine test resulted in an additional charge for Woods under Florida law. Consequently, he faced charges for DUI with property damage and refusal to comply with a lawful test. Woods has entered a plea of not guilty and has requested a jury trial.
The affidavit also revealed that some of Woods’ sobriety tests were conducted while he was seated on a patrol vehicle’s bumper, a consideration made due to his physical limitations from numerous surgeries. He has undergone seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg.
Despite these accommodations, Woods reportedly struggled with the sobriety tests. The deputy on the scene observed that Woods repeatedly moved his head from side to side, needing reminders to keep it steady. Additionally, Woods appeared to be sweating heavily and experiencing hiccups during the evaluation.
Unfortunately, Woods reportedly made several errors during the sobriety tests. The deputy also noticed how Woods “continuously moved his head from side to side and had to be instructed several times to keep his head straight.” The legend was also reportedly sweating profusely and had hiccups.
The golf legend has a history of back and leg surgeries all the way up until 2025
Tiger Woods has had numerous leg surgeries throughout his golf career. According to Sports Illustrated, he had two benign tumors removed from his left knee in 1994. He’s also had surgeries to repair cartilage damage, have fluid removed, and repair his ACL through the years. In February 2021, he broke his right leg and ankle in a car accident. The surgery required the insertion of a rod into his tibia and screws and pins into his foot and ankle. Then, in 2023, Woods had ankle surgery once more.
As for Woods’ back, he had surgery on a pinched nerve in 2014. The following year, he had two microdiscectomy surgeries on his back to remove bone fragments. And the following month, he had yet another back surgery. In 2017, Woods underwent a spinal fusion. Then, in 2021, Woods had another microdiscectomy to remove a bone fragment that was resulting in a pinched nerve. The golf star underwent his seventh back surgery in October 2025 after a collapsed disc.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” he posted to X in October 2025. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal.”
“I have opted to have my disc replaced yesterday and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back,” he continued.
In January 2026, he gave a health update following the surgery.
“I’ve been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons,” Woods told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, according to People. “I haven’t gone any beyond that. … Whenever that time comes, when I start hitting drivers, and I start playing at home, and start doing all the different things, I will have been away from the game for a year and a half, so I’m gonna be pretty rusty.”
Woods also admitted that he’d have to prep for competitions differently due to his age and past surgeries. “I’ve had to stay a lot more patient with myself,” he said. “I get sore faster, I guess, because I’m 50. And that happens.”