Tiger Woods was released on bond in the early hours of this morning (28 March) after spending eight hours in jail.
The golfing legend was charged with driving under the influence following his involvement in a car crash on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Sheriff John Budensiek told reporters that Woods had also been charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. The offences are not felonies in the US.
He added that officers believed Woods was 'impaired on medication' and had been driving at 'high speed' on the road with a limit of 30mph.
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The incident happened at about 2pm local time (7pm time GMT) on Friday. Images circulating showed a car overturned as a result with Woods passing a breathalyser test at the scene but refused to provide a urine sample to undergo testing.
Budensiek said: “The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment.
“They did several tests on him. He did explain the injuries and surgeries that he’s had and we did take that into account, but they did some in-depth roadside tests.
“When it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail. At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.
“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”
The 15-time major winner underwent emergency surgery after suffering multiple leg injuries following a serious car accident in 2021. It left him sidelined for 15 months with his appearances sporadic since due to numerous other injury setbacks.
The 50-year-old's mugshot has also now been released after news broke of his arrest last night.
Woods' Land Rover rolled over in the collision with a pick-up truck towing a trailer he was trying to overtake yesterday. He walked away unhurt but was described as 'lethargic' by officers.
Budensiek said the golfer's car 'slid for a pretty decent space' on its side before he came to a stop. The driver of the other vehicle was also unhurt.
Woods was also arrested on suspicion of DUI offences in 2017 after he was found asleep at the wheel of his car in Jupiter, Florida. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving after it emerged he had five prescription drugs in his system at the time.
Commenting on the crash yesterday, his good friend Donald Trump told reporters: "I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty.
“There was an accident. That’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man.”
Jess Battison