Tiger Woods says he will be stepping away for a “period of time” to seek treatment and focus on his health after pleading not guilty to DUI charges following his involvement in a rollover car crash in Florida last week.
Woods was arrested and spent eight hours in jail before he was bailed after his Land Rover collided with a pick-up truck in Jupiter Island on Friday. According to a police affidavit released earlier on Tuesday, Woods was observed by the investigating officers to be “sweating profusely” while acting “lethargic and slow” with eyes that were “bloodshot and glassy”.
Woods was found with two white pills in his possession, later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used to treat severe pain. He had told the police that he had not consumed any alcohol and passed a breathalyser test, but Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said he refused to submit to a urinary test for drugs.
The 50-year-old Woods, a 15-time major champion, also admitted to “looking down at his cell phone and changing the radio station” in the moments before the crash and he told the police he “did not notice the vehicle in front of him had slowed down”.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in a statement. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
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