Tiger Woods had his driver’s license suspended five years Wednesday after striking a plea deal in his DUI case.
Woods pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test in Martin County Circuit Court in Florida.
As part of the agreement, Woods also agreed to pay $1,500 in fines. The golf legend also was found guilty of careless driving, a moving violation.
Judge Darren Steele told Woods that the suspended
Judge Darren Steele told Woods that the suspended license “is for the safety of the public.”
“There are no exceptions,” Steele said. “If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail.”
Woods, 50, arrived at the courthouse with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, and attorney, Doug Duncan. The 15-time major champion said little during the hearing and beforehand sat at the defense table, looking back at the courtroom gallery.
Trump, the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump,
Trump, the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump, sat behind Woods during the hearing. Woods left the courthouse without addressing reporters.
A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt but means the accused will offer no defense. The plea is treated as a conviction in the criminal justice system.
Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI and refusal to submit to a lawful test March 27 after his SUV clipped a trailer being hauled by a truck and rolled on its side. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Woods told authorities that he was looking down
Woods told authorities that he was looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station in his SUV, which caused him not to see a truck slowing down, according to the affidavit.
Martin County Sheriff Deputy Tatiana Levenar wrote in an arrest affidavit that Woods was “sweating profusely” and his movement was “lethargic and slow” while she interviewed him.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said on the day of the arrest that a Breathalyzer test didn’t show signs of alcohol in Woods’ system. Woods refused to submit to a urinalysis or blood test for other drugs, according to the sheriff.
A Martin County sheriff’s deputy found two hydrocodone
A Martin County sheriff’s deputy found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket, according to the arrest affidavit. Prosecutors had obtained Woods’ medical and prescription drug records.
Woods announced on March 31 that he was stepping away from golf for a “period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.” He spent several weeks at an in-patient treatment facility in Switzerland.
Woods made his first public appearance since his arrest on June 23, when he introduced PGA Tour CEO/commissioner Brian Rolapp during a news conference at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Woods was chair of the tour’s Future Competition
Woods was chair of the tour’s Future Competition Committee, which revamped the circuit’s competitive model and postseason structure for the 2028 season.
“It’s great to see him back,” Rolapp said at the Travelers. “Tiger’s been involved throughout the process, has contributed meaningfully. It’s awesome to see him back in great form, so we’re really excited about it.”
In 2017, Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI after police officers found him asleep at the wheel in his running car, which had two flat tires and damage on the front and rear bumpers. Woods said he had taken a bad mix of painkillers.
Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving
Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and agreed to enter a diversion program as part of the plea deal. Woods checked into a treatment facility that year to get help with prescription drugs.
In February 2021, Woods suffered significant leg injuries in a one-car crash outside of Los Angeles in which his SUV rolled several times and left him trapped inside. He later had surgery to deal with “open fractures” to his lower right leg, had a rod placed in a tibia and had screws and pins inserted in his foot and ankle during emergency surgery. Woods was hospitalized for three weeks following the surgery.
Because of multiple injuries, Woods last competed on the PGA Tour in July 2024, when he missed the cut at the Open Championship. He is scheduled to host the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Dec. 3-6.
ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: www.espn.com
