Golfing icon Tiger Woods entered a a no-contest on Wednesday to a reckless driving charge after a rollover crash in March near his home in Florida.
Woods, 50, appeared in a courtroom in Martin County where he agreed to a reduced charge after initially being charged with driving under the influence (DUI). A judge ordered his driver’s license be suspended for five years.
Woods said little during Wednesday’s hearing and beforehand sat at the defense table, looking back at the courtroom gallery. He was joined in the courtroom by his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law. She sat behind him while the hearing took place.
The golf legend previously pleaded not guilty to a driving under the influence charge. Woods was arrested after his SUV clipped a truck and rolled over on its side on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island. A sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to produce a urine sample.
Neither Woods nor the person in the other vehicle were injured in the crash, according to officials. But his Land Rover caused $5,000 in damage to the truck, according to a police report. Woods had told a deputy that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he hit the truck.
Woods is among the most influential figures in golf, but his career has been derailed by multiple back and knee surgeries, car crashes and dependence on pain medication.
The 15-time major winner, a record that puts him second on the all-time list behind Jack Nicklaus, has been involved in four crashes over the years. He took a leave from the golf tour after the 2009 crash and again after the latest crash and has yet to return to tournament play.
He left the United States to seek treatment at an inpatient treatment facility, according to court records.
Woods made his first public appearance since returning from treatment on June 23 when he introduced the PGA Tour’s plans to revamp its schedule for 2028. Woods remained as chairman of the tour’s Future Competition Committee after his arrest. He did not take questions during that appearance.
