New troubles for Tiger Woods. After weeks on the crest of the wave for his sporting performances and the much-hyped idea of a return in style at next month’s Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club, the champion was the victim of a new car accident for which he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of substances.
Woods was driving his Land Rover on Jupiter Island, Florida, when due to excessive speed and a risky overtaking, his car overturned not far from his home. The champion got out of the car without injuries and initially collaborated with the authorities who rushed to the scene.
“He was cooperative but tried not to incriminate himself,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, reporting that Woods immediately appeared to the officers in an altered state. He tested negative for alcohol but refused to submit to a urine test and was arrested for this. He was alone in the cell: “We didn’t want to put him in danger or allow anyone to take advantage of his presence”, explained the authorities.
Woods was released after eight hours of detention on bail and returned to his home, where he entered noticeably annoyed, even leaving the front door open. “I’m very sorry. I know there was an accident. He’s a good friend of mine, a fantastic person,” commented Donald Trump, an avid golfer. Woods is engaged to the president’s former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump. For Woods, the accident is just the latest in a long series.
In 2021 he was seriously injured near Los Angeles when his SUV went off the road due to speeding. The champion suffered such serious injuries to his legs that doctors initially hypothesized an amputation. In 2017 he was arrested after being found sleeping at the wheel of a damaged car. Woods explained that he had taken a mix of strong medications and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
However, the accident in 2009 that marked him. It was 2.30 in the morning when he crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree in front of his home in Windermere, Florida. Police found him injured and with his then-wife Elin Nordegren who had helped him out of the car by smashing one of the car’s windows with a golf club. The incident revealed his extra-marital affairs which led to his divorce and dented his reputation as a good guy. Since then his career has never been the same again.