Body cam footage from the aftermath of Tiger Woods’ car accident shows the legendary golfer failing field sobriety tests before being placed in handcuffs.
Woods, 50, is dressed in a light blue polo and sunglasses with a backwards baseball cap as he leans against the hood of a police car. In the video, obtained by Us Weekly, a police officer asks Woods if he has had any alcohol and what medications he has taken before taking him through several tests.
In one test, Woods is asked to follow the officer’s hand with his eyes as she moves them from side to side. Afterwards, he is seen performing a hand coordination test.
Unsatisfied, the officer handcuffs him, saying, “At this time, I do believe your normal faculties are impaired and you’re under an unknown substance, so at this time, you are under arrest for DUI.”
The officer whose body cam footage is being shown then checks Woods’ pockets where he uncovers two loose hydrocodone pills in addition to his wallet, lip balm and AirPods.
Woods’ accident occurred on Friday, March 27 in Jupiter Island, Florida, when he says he checked his phone while trying to change the radio station in his car, not realizing the vehicle in front of him had slowed down. Neither Woods nor the other driver were injured.
He was charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test after passing a breathalyzer but refusing a urinalysis.
In additional body cam footage, Woods is seen before he performed the field sobriety tests, down on one knee while an officer examines him.
“I looked down at my phone … and all of a sudden, boom,” Woods says in the video, explaining the accident..
Woods broke his silence on the arrest on Tuesday, March 31, taking to social media to announce he would be stepping away from golf to seek treatment.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” he wrote via X. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
He continued, “I’ve committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
Court documents obtained by Us Weekly on Wednesday, April 1 show that a judge will allow Woods to travel out of the country for his treatment, approving a request from the golfer’s lawyer, Douglas Duncan.
“Ongoing medical scrutiny and public exposure create significant barriers to his care and would result in setbacks and an inability to fully engage in treatment,” Duncan wrote in the documents.
He added, “Based upon Defendant’s treating physician’s opinions, inpatient treatment at the out of country treatment facility is medically necessary due to the Defendant’s complexity, and need for an intensive highly individualized and medically integrated program.”
