Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in May 2017 in Jupiter, Florida. However, breathalyser tests at the time of his arrest showed a blood alcohol level of 0.00 — no alcohol whatsoever. Instead, the impairment that led to his arrest was caused by a combination of prescription medications he had been taking following back surgery. Woods ultimately pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of reckless driving and did not serve any time in prison, but the arrest became one of the most scrutinised incidents in sporting history.

Who Is Tiger Woods?

Eldrick Tont Woods, universally known as Tiger Woods, was born on 30 December 1975 in Cypress, California. He is widely considered the greatest golfer of all time and one of the most famous athletes in history. With 82 PGA Tour victories and 15 major championship titles, his record-breaking career transformed golf from a niche sport into a global commercial phenomenon. At his peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Woods was the dominant force in world golf and a globally recognised sports icon.

However, his personal life and physical health have been marred by significant setbacks — a high-profile marital scandal in 2009, multiple serious back surgeries, and a catastrophic car accident in 2021 that very nearly ended his life. The 2017 DUI arrest came during a particularly difficult period of his personal and professional recovery.

The 2017 DUI Arrest

In the early hours of 29 May 2017, a Jupiter, Florida, police officer found Tiger Woods asleep in the driver’s seat of his Mercedes-Benz, parked with its engine running and indicators on. The car had reportedly been involved in a minor collision, with two of its tyres flat. Woods was disoriented and confused when officers woke him, and appeared unable to speak coherently or stand steadily.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. His mugshot, taken at Palm Beach County Jail, showed Woods visibly disoriented — an image that circulated immediately across the world. The arrest was a major news story globally, intensified by the extreme gap between his public image as a consummate professional and the dishevelled figure in the custody photograph.

What Caused the Impairment?

Roadside breathalyser tests showed a blood alcohol content of 0.00 — Tiger Woods had consumed no alcohol at all. A subsequent toxicology report revealed that his blood contained traces of several prescription medications: Vicodin (a painkiller), Dilaudid (a strong opioid), Xanax (an anti-anxiety drug), Ambien (a sleeping tablet), and THC (the active component of cannabis). Woods stated through his representatives that he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medications he had been taking following his fourth back surgery, which had occurred just weeks before.

He issued a public statement in which he apologised and acknowledged full responsibility, saying he had not realised how the medications were affecting him. The statement made clear he had not been drinking and attributed the incident entirely to the combination of prescription drugs he was taking during his post-surgical recovery.

The Legal Outcome

Tiger Woods was formally charged with DUI. However, following negotiations between his lawyers and prosecutors, he agreed to plead no contest to a lesser charge of reckless driving. In October 2017, a judge accepted his plea and sentenced him to 12 months of probation, community service, a fine, and mandatory attendance at a DUI diversion programme. He was not sentenced to any time in prison, and the original DUI charge was dropped.

Woods completed all the conditions of his sentence, and his probation was terminated early after he fulfilled the required obligations. The outcome was considered lenient by some commentators, though prosecutors argued the plea reflected the circumstances of the offence — specifically the absence of alcohol and the medical context of his medication use.

Aftermath and Tiger Woods Today

Following the arrest, Woods entered a treatment programme. In February 2019, less than two years after his arrest, he won the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club — one of the most celebrated sporting comebacks in history. His victory was greeted with widespread acclaim and temporarily overshadowed the memory of the 2017 incident.

In February 2021, Woods was seriously injured in a single-vehicle car accident in Los Angeles, suffering multiple fractures to his right leg and requiring extensive surgery. He has made a partial return to competitive golf since then. As of 2026, Woods remains a public figure and is frequently mentioned in discussions about sporting greatness, personal resilience, and the physical toll of elite-level sport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Tiger Woods go to prison?

No, Tiger Woods did not go to prison. Following his 2017 arrest for driving under the influence, he pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving and was sentenced to 12 months of probation, community service, and a fine. He did not serve any custodial sentence.

Was Tiger Woods drunk when he was arrested?

No. Tiger Woods had a blood alcohol content of 0.00 at the time of his arrest in May 2017. He had consumed no alcohol. His impairment was caused by a combination of prescription medications he was taking following back surgery, including opioid painkillers, an anti-anxiety drug, and a sleeping tablet.

What did Tiger Woods plead to?

Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless driving. The original DUI charge was dropped as part of a negotiated plea agreement. His plea was accepted in October 2017, and he was sentenced to 12 months of probation, mandatory participation in a DUI diversion programme, and community service.

When was Tiger Woods arrested?

Tiger Woods was arrested on 29 May 2017 in Jupiter, Florida, in the early hours of the morning. A police officer found him asleep in his stationary car with the engine running. He appeared disoriented and could not pass a sobriety test, though subsequent tests showed no alcohol in his system.

Has Tiger Woods been arrested before?

The May 2017 DUI arrest is the only known arrest of Tiger Woods. Despite a high-profile marital scandal in 2009 and a serious car accident in 2021, he has not faced criminal charges on any other occasion. The 2017 arrest remains the only time he has been taken into police custody.