After his SUV crashed in Florida last week, Tiger Woods mentioned to a deputy that he had just been speaking with the president, as revealed in body camera footage released on Thursday during Woods’ DUI arrest. Although the phone conversation was not recorded, Woods could be heard expressing gratitude before the deputy approached him. It was unclear whether Woods was referring to President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, is reportedly dating Woods.
Following Woods’ arrest on March 27, Trump expressed sympathy for Woods, stating he felt sorry for him and acknowledging their close friendship. The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether Trump had spoken to Woods post-crash.
The footage also captured Woods’ surprised reaction as he was handcuffed after failing a sobriety test. In the video from the patrol car’s back seat, Woods, in handcuffs, was seen hiccupping, yawning, and appearing to nod off multiple times during the 15-minute journey.
Woods explained to authorities that he had been looking at his phone and adjusting the radio when his Land Rover, traveling at high speed, struck the back of a truck and overturned on a residential street in Jupiter Island. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
During the roadside sobriety test, Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Tatiana Levenar informed Woods that she believed his normal faculties were impaired due to an unknown substance, leading to his arrest for DUI.
Following his arrest, Woods was found in possession of two white pills, later identified as hydrocodone, a painkiller containing acetaminophen and an opioid. Woods maintained that he had not consumed any alcohol but had taken several medications earlier in the day.
At the sheriff’s office, Woods insisted that he was not intoxicated but under prescription medication. He later pled not guilty to the DUI charge and announced his decision to step away indefinitely to seek treatment and prioritize his health.
Woods underwent a Breathalyzer test that showed no alcohol in his system but declined a urine test, which, under a recent Florida law amendment, now constitutes a misdemeanor offense even for first-time offenders.
During the field sobriety test, deputies noted Woods’ limping and the compression sock on his right knee, explaining that he had undergone numerous back and leg surgeries. Despite Woods’ physical limitations and visible discomfort, authorities proceeded with the arrest based on their assessment of his impaired faculties.
Renowned for his iconic status in golf, Woods has faced setbacks due to injuries, including a severe 2021 car crash that nearly resulted in amputation of his right leg. He has not participated in any official events since the 2024 British Open, as he was recovering from his seventh back surgery in October with hopes of making a comeback at the Masters, where he has triumphed five times.