Newly released body camera footage from Tiger Woods’ March 27 DUI arrest has revealed the most detailed account yet of what happened when the 15-time major champion’s Land Rover struck a trailer and rolled over on Jupiter Island, Florida. The video, released this week by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, adds significant context to an incident that has sent shockwaves through the golf world.
Woods, who has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, was granted permission by a judge on Wednesday to seek treatment at an international inpatient facility. He will not compete at next week’s Masters at Augusta National.
What the Footage Shows
The body camera video begins with deputies arriving at the scene of a single-vehicle rollover on a narrow road on Jupiter Island, north of Miami. Woods’ Land Rover is on its side, having clipped the back of a trailer being towed by a pickup truck that had slowed to turn into a driveway. Woods was driving northbound at what investigators describe as a high speed when he attempted to pass the truck.
In the video, Woods can be seen in a blue polo shirt, having climbed out of the overturned vehicle through the passenger side. Neither Woods nor the driver of the other vehicle were physically injured in the crash, though the vehicle sustained significant damage.
When asked about what happened, Woods told the deputy he had been distracted, explaining the crash in his own words. He also mentioned that he had been on a phone call at the time of the incident.
The Field Sobriety Tests
The footage shows Woods undergoing field sobriety tests at the scene. According to the arrest affidavit, deputies observed that Woods had bloodshot and glassy eyes, extremely dilated pupils, and that his movements appeared lethargic and slow. The video shows Woods leaning against the patrol car while performing the tests, at one point tightly shutting his eyes during a task that required him to stack his fists, clap, and count.
A breath test taken at the Martin County Jail registered 0.000 on both samples, confirming that alcohol was not a factor in the incident. However, Woods told deputies he had taken prescription medications earlier that day, and the arrest affidavit identified white pills found in his pocket as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used to treat severe chronic pain.
Woods refused a urine test, which resulted in the additional charge of refusal to submit to a lawful test. Under Florida law, refusing a chemical test after a DUI arrest can carry its own penalties, including license suspension.
Legal Proceedings
Woods pleaded not guilty to both charges on Tuesday. His attorney filed a motion for Woods to seek treatment outside the United States, citing privacy concerns and arguing that the intense media attention surrounding the case would compromise his ability to receive effective treatment at a domestic facility.
The judge granted the request on Wednesday, allowing Woods to leave the country for an international inpatient facility. The decision underscores the unique challenges that public figures face when dealing with legal and medical issues under intense scrutiny.
A careless driving citation was also added to the charges, reflecting the circumstances of the crash itself. The case remains in the early stages of the legal process, and a trial date has not yet been set.
Woods’ Absence From the Masters
The most immediate impact on the golf world is Woods’ absence from the 2026 Masters, which begins next Thursday at Augusta National. As we reported when the arrest first occurred, Woods withdrew from the tournament shortly after being released on bail.
Woods has competed in 24 Masters tournaments, winning five times — including his remarkable 2019 comeback victory that ranks among the greatest moments in golf history. His absence will leave a noticeable void at Augusta, where he has been a fixture for nearly three decades and where the galleries have always reserved their loudest cheers for the game’s most compelling figure.
For the remaining Masters contenders, Woods’ absence removes one of the tournament’s most unpredictable elements. While his recent competitive results had been modest, Woods at Augusta always carried the potential for magic — and the attention he commanded affected the dynamics for everyone in the field.
Historical Context
This is not the first time Woods has faced legal issues related to driving under the influence. In 2017, he was found asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes-Benz on a Florida road, an incident that was also attributed to prescription medication rather than alcohol. Woods subsequently entered a diversion program and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
The 2017 incident came during a period when Woods was dealing with severe back pain that had required multiple surgeries. The circumstances of the 2026 arrest — with hydrocodone found in his possession — suggest that pain management remains an ongoing challenge for the 50-year-old, whose body has endured decades of the physical demands of professional golf and multiple serious injuries.
Woods has also dealt with the aftermath of a devastating 2021 car crash in Los Angeles that shattered his right leg and initially raised questions about whether he would ever walk again, let alone play competitive golf. His return to competition after that accident was hailed as one of sport’s greatest comebacks.
What This Means for Golf
The golf world’s response to Woods’ situation has been largely sympathetic, reflecting an evolving understanding of the complexities of chronic pain management and the pressures faced by elite athletes. Many players and commentators have expressed concern for Woods’ wellbeing while respecting his privacy during the legal process.
The incident has also renewed conversations about prescription opioid use among professional athletes — a topic that extends far beyond golf. The physical demands of professional sport, combined with the pressure to return from injury quickly, create conditions where pain medication dependency can develop. Woods’ situation, while deeply personal, touches on a broader issue that affects athletes across every sport.
For the immediate future, the focus shifts to Augusta National and the Masters, where the tournament will proceed without its most iconic modern competitor. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and the rest of the field will compete for the green jacket, while Tiger Woods begins what his legal team has described as an urgent course of treatment. The golf world will be watching both stories with equal attention.
