Tiger Woods Plans to Change Plea in Florida DUI Case

Tiger Woods intends to alter his plea from not guilty in a DUI case related to a Florida rollover crash, as indicated in court documents filed recently. The incident occurred in March when Woods’ Land Rover collided with a truck, subsequently flipping onto its side, leading to his arrest, officials reported.

Originally, Woods entered a not guilty plea to driving under the influence in the Martin County circuit court, situated just north of Palm Beach County. He is scheduled to attend a plea conference hearing on Wednesday morning, as stated in a hearing notice issued Tuesday. Details regarding the specifics of the plea change have not been disclosed. Attempts to contact Woods’ attorney, Doug Duncan, and the State Attorney’s Office for more information were not immediately successful.

After the crash on March 27, 2026, police body camera footage showed Woods performing a field sobriety test for deputies from Martin County, Florida, near Jupiter Island. The report noted that Woods was traveling at high speeds on a residential beachside road with a posted 30 mph speed limit, resulting in $5,000 in damages to the truck.

Woods managed to climb out of the overturned vehicle without sustaining any injuries. He informed a deputy that he was distracted by his phone and the radio when the collision occurred. A Breathalyzer test showed no evidence of alcohol consumption, but Woods declined a urine test. Deputies discovered two pain pills in his pocket and noted signs of impairment.

Court records indicate that Woods sought treatment abroad at an inpatient facility. In July, Judge Darren Steele approved a deal allowing prosecutors access to medical records related to the crash and arrest. A similar agreement in May granted prosecutors entry to Woods’ prescription medication records from a Palm Beach pharmacy, spanning from January to March.

Woods, 50, is a significant figure in golf, as well-known as any athlete globally. As the first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, he has enthralled golf enthusiasts with achievements unlikely to be surpassed. His career, however, has faced setbacks from multiple surgeries, car accidents, and drug dependency.

Throughout his life, Woods has been involved in four crashes. In 2021, a severe crash in Los Angeles damaged his right leg, with doctors considering amputation. A 2009 accident saw his SUV hit a fire hydrant and tree near his Orlando home. These accidents led to his stepping away from professional golf each time, and he has not resumed competitive play since the most recent incident.

Following treatment, Woods made a public appearance on June 23, unveiling the PGA Tour’s schedule changes for 2028. He continues to serve as chairman of the tour’s Future Competition Committee despite his arrest. During this appearance, Woods did not answer any questions.

AP writer Hallie Golden from Seattle contributed additional information to this report.