Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after flipping his car near his home in Florida, and the golf icon called President Donald Trump moments after the crash
President Donald Trump received a call from Tiger Woods just after he overturned his Land Rover near his residence in Florida, prior to being charged with a misdemeanour DUI with property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Woods is facing multiple charges after flipping his vehicle, with local sheriff John Budensiek alleging he displayed signs of impairment, though not due to alcohol. Woods has since explained he will take a break from golf and has been given permission to leave the US to seek treatment elsewhere.
Bodycam footage of the arrest was made public on Thursday, showing Woods undergoing a field sobriety test before seeming to fall asleep in the back of a police car. Before the golf legend was arrested, he was seen conversing on the phone and informed an officer that he was speaking with President Trump.
Following the car crash, there was a significant police presence at the scene. An officer beckoned Woods over as he walked away to converse privately on the phone, according to TMZ.
As Woods approached the officer, he was heard saying: “Thank you so much. All right. You got it. Bye.”
When the officer asked that Woods stay close by, the golfer responded: “Yeah, I was just talking with the President. Was just trying to get away.”
Woods and Trump maintain a close friendship, and the golfer is currently dating Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. Woods has been friendly with Trump for several decades, with the US President being a keen golf enthusiast.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Given their strong relationship, Trump was questioned about the circumstances shortly after Woods was detained on suspicion of DUI. He said: “I feel so bad. He’s got some difficulty – there was an accident, and that’s all I know.
“A very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man. But some difficulty. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Woods overturned his vehicle after crashing into a lorry near his residence on Jupiter Island, but cleared a breathalyser examination. Nevertheless, the sheriff maintained that he displayed indicators of impairment, and Woods declined to provide a urine specimen.
The golf legend will next attend court in May and has consented to participate in all other court proceedings. However, Woods is scheduled to depart the US temporarily after his solicitor, Douglas Duncan, submitted a petition that a judge authorised.
Your unofficial preview to The Masters 2026 is ON SALE NOW
Duncan applied for Woods to leave the US to ‘begin comprehensive inpatient treatment.’ The submission read: “Based upon the Defendant’s treating physician, the out-of-country treatment facility recommendation is based upon the Defendant’s complex clinical presentation and the urgent need for a level of care that cannot safely or effectively be done within the United States, as his privacy has been repeatedly compromised.”
Duncan argued that the high-profile nature of the case means Woods could find it challenging to complete his recovery in the United States. He also noted that exposure to the public could even “result in setbacks and an inability to fully engage in treatment.”
Since the accident, Woods has notified the PGA of America that he no longer wants to be in the running for the captaincy ahead of the 2027 Ryder Cup. Woods was also planning a remarkable return at the Masters, but he has now withdrawn from golf.