Tiger Woods Shares Remark about Speaking with the President Before His Arrest
Tiger Woods Arrested Following DUI Incident in Florida
In a recent incident, Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after crashing his SUV in Florida on March 27. Body camera footage released Thursday reveals Woods informing a deputy, “I was just talking to the president,” shortly after the crash. Although the phone call was not recorded, Woods was heard saying “Thank you so much” as he hung up, leaving ambiguity about whether he was referencing President Trump, whose former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, has been linked romantically to Woods.
Following the golfer’s arrest, Trump expressed concern for Woods, stating to reporters, "I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty. Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty."
The released footage shows Woods appearing stunned as he was handcuffed after failing a sobriety test. A video from the back of the patrol vehicle depicts Woods hiccupping, yawning, and seemingly falling asleep during the 15-minute transport. Woods explained to officers that he had been distracted while adjusting his phone and the radio when his Land Rover struck a truck and rolled onto its side. No injuries were reported.
“I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden — boom,” Woods told an officer as he kneeled on a lawn before his arrest. Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Tatiana Levenar conducted a roadside sobriety test, concluding that Woods’ normal faculties were impaired due to an unknown substance. “I’m being arrested?” Woods questioned, to which Levenar confirmed.
During the search, authorities discovered two pills in Woods’ pocket, which he identified as Norco, a painkiller containing hydrocodone. He maintained he had not consumed any alcohol but admitted to taking other medications earlier in the day, although the specifics were muted in the body camera footage.
At the sheriff’s office, Woods asserted, “I’m not drunk. I’m on a prescription medication.” He later agreed to a Breathalyzer test, which indicated no alcohol in his system, but refused a urine test. Under recent changes to Florida law, this refusal is considered a misdemeanor, even for first-time offenders.
Woods, 50, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to the DUI charge. He stated that he would be stepping away indefinitely to focus on his health. Concerns over Woods’ well-being resonate strongly, given his history of injuries, including from a severe car accident in 2021 that nearly resulted in amputation of his right leg. He has not participated in an official golfing event since the 2024 British Open and was hoping to return to the sport at the upcoming Masters, where he is a five-time champion.
Woods, a trailblazer in golf and an iconic figure in sports history, faces significant challenges ahead as he navigates the repercussions of this incident.
