Tiger Woods had pills in pocket and 'bloodshot' eyes after looking down at his phone before car crash, report reveals
Tiger Woods was charged with charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test after his car crash on Friday; Martin Country Sheriff's Office released the arrest affidavit on Tuesday, revealing more details of Woods' crash
Tuesday 31 March 2026 16:28, UK
Tiger Woods told police he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station before last week's car crash, with pills found in his pocket at the time of his arrest, according to a sheriff's office report.
Woods was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after being involved in a car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida on Friday March 27, where his Land Rover rolled over in a collision with a pick-up truck.
An arrest affidavit, released by the Martin Country Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, revealed that Woods told investigators that he didn't realise the truck in front of him had slowed down.
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The affidavit also said the 15-time major champion had "bloodshot and glassy eyes", "extremely dilated pupils" and appeared "lethargic and slow" when he failed several field sobriety exercises.
Woods had climbed out of the passenger seat after the crash and was "sweating profusely", with two white pills, identified as hydrocodone - used to treat severe pain - found in his pocket during a search.
The 50-year-old told deputies he had been looking at his phone and fiddling with the radio before he clipped the truck in front of him, causing an estimated $5,000 (£3,770) worth of damage.
Woods had a compression sock over his right knee and told the sheriff about his seven previous back surgeries and 'over 20 operations on his leg', adding that he has a limp and that his ankle seizes while walking.
He walked away unhurt and took a breathalyser test at the scene which returned negative, but refused to submit a urine sample, leading to him being kept in jail for eight hours before being released on bond in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Woods was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance before being transported to the Martin County jail, where he declined medical treatment and was held - under Florida law - for the mandatory eight hours.
"I believed that Woods' normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle," the affidavit stated.
Woods was charged with driving under the influence with property damage, along for refusal to submit to a lawful urine test. His court date has yet to be confirmed, although he would not be required to attend the hearing.
The five-time Masters champion - as of March 31 - remains listed in the field for the opening major of the year, where Rory McIlroy returns as defending champion. Should he feature, it would mark his first appearance in a major since The Open in July 2024.
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