STUART, Fla. — Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge and his driver’s license was suspended for five years Wednesday following a March rollover crash in Florida, where he initially was accused of driving under the influence.
Woods, still one of golf’s most influential figures and as recognizable as any athlete in the world, has had a remarkable fall since winning the 2019 Masters for his 15th major. The first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, his career has been derailed by multiple back and knee surgeries, car crashes and dependence on pain medication.
He was arrested in March after his SUV clipped a truck and rolled over on its side on a beachside residential road near his home on Jupiter Island.
A sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to take a urine test.
He pleaded not guilty to the original DUI charge.
Before the hearing in Florida’s Martin County on Wednesday, Woods, 50, sat at the defense table looking back at the mostly empty courtroom gallery. He said little as he agreed to the reduced charge and left the courthouse without addressing reporters.
He had arrived with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, President Trump’s former daughter-in-law. She sat behind him during the proceedings.
“Tiger is not absolved of accountability and he surrendered his license for the next five years,” Mark Steinberg, his longtime manager at Excel Sports told the AP. “He is continuing his treatment and prioritizing all aspects of his health.”
Judge Darren Steele warned Woods that his driver’s license suspension didn’t include exceptions. “If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would immediately go back to jail,” the judge told Woods.
Tut there’s one vehicle Woods still can drive, at least in Florida — a golf cart.
That’s because Florida law says as long you are at least 18, you can operate a golf cart without a license.
In Washington, Mr. Trump told reporters the resolution of the case was fair.
“I told him that a long time, ’Why don’t you get somebody to drive you?’ So he’s going to have somebody drive him from now on,” the president said Wednesday. “And, you know, he’s just a very special guy. I’m glad that was resolved.”
Woods has been involved in four crashes over the years. He took a leave from the golf tour after the 2009 crash and again after the latest crash and has yet to return to tournament play.
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