![Tiger Woods' booking photo after his arrest and release on bail. [Photo=Yonhap·Reuters]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/04/01/20260401135455665027.jpg)
In a message posted to social media on April 1 (Korean time), Woods said he understood "the seriousness" of his situation and would step away for a while to receive treatment and focus on recovering his health.
He said he would take enough time to return "healthier and stronger," and asked that his and his family’s privacy be respected during that period.
Reuters reported that Woods pleaded not guilty in court to the DUI charge and requested a jury trial.
Woods was involved in a crash on March 28 on a two-lane road on Jupiter Island in Martin County, Florida, while driving a Land Rover. He collided while trying to pass a pickup truck towing a small trailer, and his vehicle overturned.
Woods took a breath test at the scene that was negative, but he refused a urine test. He was arrested, held under state law and later released after posting bail.
According to an accident report released March 31 by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, responding officers said Woods’ eyes were bloodshot and unfocused after the crash and that he was sweating, lethargic and moving slowly. The report said two white pills containing hydrocodone, classified as an opioid painkiller, were found in his pocket.
This is not the first time Woods has faced allegations of drug-impaired driving. In May 2017, he was found asleep in a stopped car near his home, and opioid drugs were detected. He was punished at the time with a fine and probation, among other penalties.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.