Tiger Woods mentioned Tuesday he’s stepping away to hunt therapy, 4 days after his automobile crashed in Florida and he was arrested on suspicion of driving underneath the affect. He’ll miss the Masters for the second straight 12 months.
“This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods mentioned in social media posts.
Woods pleaded not responsible in his driving underneath the affect case in Florida on Tuesday, hours after a sheriff’s report mentioned deputies discovered two ache capsules in his pocket and he confirmed indicators of impairment after his SUV clipped a trailer and rolled over on its aspect.
The web courtroom docket for Martin County confirmed Woods entered a written plea of not responsible and deliberate to waive his April 23 arraignment listening to.
It’s the second time Woods has taken a depart following a automobile crash. In 2009, after his SUV plowed into a fireplace hydrant and tree exterior his house close to Orlando, he took a depart of absence to work on being a greater individual. That lasted 4 months and he returned on the Masters.
Woods confirmed indicators of impairment
Woods’ eyes had been bloodshot and glassy, his pupils dilated and he had opioid capsules — recognized as hydrocodone — on him when interviewed on the scene of the crash, in line with the arrest report launched by the Martin County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Woods’ actions had been gradual and torpid, he was sweating as he talked to deputies within the again seat of an air-conditioned automobile and he advised them he had taken prescription remedy earlier within the morning, in line with the report.
Woods advised deputies he had been taking a look at his telephone and fidgeting with the radio moments earlier than he hit the trailer, the report mentioned.
Woods has not performed an official occasion for the reason that 2024 British Open. He was recovering from a seventh again surgical procedure in October and was attempting to return on the Masters, the place he’s a five-time champion.
“I’m committed to take the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” Woods mentioned in his assertion.
Woods is not going to be in Augusta, Georgia, the place he was to look with Masters chairman Fred Ridley to have fun the opening of a refurbished municipal course that concerned Woods, or for the distinguished Masters Membership dinner for champions.
“Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being. Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta,” Ridley mentioned in a press release.
He’s taking a break from the PGA Tour board
Meaning a break from extra than simply golf. He serves a key position on the PGA Tour board by main its Future Competitors Committee reshaping the schedule. A tour spokesman mentioned Woods didn’t participate in Tuesday’s assembly, and the work would proceed in his absence.
“Over the last year, I have come to deeply appreciate Tiger not only for his impact on the game, but for his friendship and the perspective he has shared with me as I joined the golf industry,” mentioned PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, who began final summer season. “My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and support.”
Woods was touring at excessive speeds on a beachside, residential street on Jupiter Island with a 30 mph (almost 50 kph) when the accident occurred. The truck had $5,000 in harm, in line with the report.
The truck driver and one other individual helped Woods out of his automobile by way of the passenger window. Neither Woods nor the truck driver had been injured.
The failed sobriety take a look at
Throughout a area sobriety take a look at, deputies observed Woods limping and that he had a compression sock over his proper knee. Woods defined he had undergone seven again surgical procedures and over 20 surgical procedures on his proper leg, and that his ankle seizes up whereas strolling.
Woods, who was hiccupping throughout questioning, constantly moved his head throughout one of many sobriety exams and deputies needed to inform him a number of occasions to maintain his head straight, the report mentioned.
“Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed that Woods normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle,” the deputy wrote after the exams.
Woods, 50, is essentially the most influential determine in golf and has change into as recognizable as any athlete on the planet. The primary individual of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, he has captivated golf followers with data probably by no means to be damaged.
However his accidents have saved him from carrying out extra, together with these suffered within the 2021 automobile crash in Los Angeles that broken his proper leg so badly he mentioned docs thought of amputation.
At this newest crash, Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer take a look at that confirmed no indicators of alcohol, however he refused a urine take a look at, authorities mentioned. He was arrested and launched on bail eight hours later.
Woods, who has been concerned in 4 crashes over time, is charged with driving underneath the affect with property harm and refusal to undergo a lawful take a look at.
Beneath a change to Florida legislation final 12 months, refusing a legislation enforcement officer’s request to take a breath, blood or urine take a look at turned a misdemeanor, even for a primary offense.
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AP Golf Author Doug Ferguson in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed to this report.
