Tiger Woods strikes plea deal in Florida DUI crash case; driver's license suspended for 5 years

Published September 1, 2026 7:35 PM EDT

Tiger Woods has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge after his DUI crash arrest in Florida earlier this year.

The golfer appeared before a judge in a Martin County courtroom on Wednesday.

Tiger Woods gets plea deal in DUI rollover crash

What we know:

Woods, who previously pleaded not guilty to DUI, reached a plea deal and pleaded no contest to reckless driving.

A second charge was changed to a careless driving citation.

Under the new charges, Woods will have his driver's license suspended for five years. 

Tiger Woods appears in a Martin County, Florida courtroom for a plea hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. 

The backstory:

Woods was arrested in Florida on March 27, 2026, under suspicion of DUI after his Land Rover overtook another vehicle on Jupiter Island, and caused his vehicle to overturn.

He was also charged with property damage and refusal to take a urine test.

The sheriff's office said Woods took a breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol in his sytem, but he declined to take the urine test.

Detectives found two painkiller pills in Woods' pocket during his arrest.

Woods: I'm stepping away to seek treatment and focus on my health

What they're saying:

Weeks after his arrest, Woods said in a statement on X that he understood the seriousness of his arrest and that he would be stepping away "to seek treatment and focus on my health."

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods said in a statement posted on social media. "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. 

"I’m 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."

Bodycam video released

In April, the Martin County Sheriff's Office released deputy body camera video of Tiger Woods' arrest.

The video shows deputies taking Woods through a series of field sobriety tests and his eventual arrest. In the video, Woods also claimed: "I was just talking to the president," referring to President Donald Trump.

The Source: FOX 35 obtained the court record showing Tiger Woods is scheduled for plea conference on Sept. 2, 2026, in Martin County. FOX 35 previously obtained bodycam video from Woods' March 27 arrest, as well as the probable cause statement. Woods also posted a statement on X weeks after his arrest.

Florida