Tiger Woods announces he’s stepping away ‘for a period of time’ to seek treatment after crash

Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he’s stepping away “for a period of time” to seek treatment following last week’s rollover crash, after which the 15-time major winner was found with two hydrocodone pills in his left pant pocket, per a probable cause affidavit.

Woods was later charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He has entered a plea of not guilty in his DUI case, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods wrote in a post on X.

“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return to 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.”

With Woods prioritizing his well-being, he won’t be making his return to Augusta National next week, the Masters confirmed Tuesday night.

While his status in the first major championship of the season was always in doubt amid his recovery from back and Achilles injuries, Woods’ recent arrest in Jupiter, Florida, overshadowed those setbacks.

“Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course,” reads a statement from the PGA Tour. “But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well-being. Tiger continues to have our full support as he takes this important step.”

New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp also put out a statement following Woods’ announcement on Tuesday:

“Tiger Woods is one of the most influential figures the sports world has ever known. Over the last year, I have come to deeply appreciate Tiger not only for his impact on the game, but for his friendship and the perspective he has shared with me as I joined the golf industry.”

Rolapp added: “My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and support.”

The probable cause affidavit released Tuesday revealed that Woods told Martin County (Fla.) police that he was looking at his phone and changing a radio station when, around 2 p.m. on Friday, his Range Rover collided with a slower-moving pickup truck’s trailer and rolled onto its driver’s side.

There were no injuries. Woods climbed out of the SUV on his own.

Officers said that Woods showed “several signs of impairment” at the scene. They were not suspicious of alcohol but suspected medications or drugs. Woods took a breathalyzer test, which returned a 0.00 reading, yet he did not submit to a urine test. He was described as “lethargic” on the scene, and he tried to explain the injuries and procedures he had in recent months.

Woods made his return to competitive golf days before the crash. He played in the TGL indoor golf final with his Jupiter Links Golf Club team. It marked his first true competitive golf since the 2024 British Open. Woods ruptured his Achilles in March 2025 and underwent surgery for a lumbar disc replacement in October.

Friday’s crash was the latest that Woods has been involved in. He was in a single-car rollover crash in Southern California in 2021. That wreck nearly cost him his leg. He was also arrested for driving under the influence in 2017 during a Florida traffic stop. He said that incident was the result of “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication” and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

Woods hasn’t played much in recent years and has struggled when he has. He has missed the cut or withdrawn in six of the last eight major championship starts he’s made. His best finish over that timespan was a T47 finish at the 2022 Masters. Both of his made cuts came at Augusta National, too, most recently with a 60th-place finish in 2024.

It’s unclear when Woods will play at the Masters, or anywhere else, again after his latest issues. But for now, Woods is going to remain away from the game.