Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
After arrest, Woods cites reaction to medication
Golfer Tiger Woods attributed an “unexpected reaction” to prescription medicine for his arrest on a DUI charge that landed him in Palm Beach County jail Monday for nearly four hours.
Woods, the 14-time major champion who had back surgery five weeks ago, was arrested on suspicion of DUI at about 3 a.m. and taken to jail. He was released on his own recognizance. Woods apologized to his family, friends and fans and said, “I expect more from myself, too.”
Pro golfer Tiger Woods “took responsibility” for an “unexpected reaction” to medication after his arrest on a DUI charge in Jupiter.
Woods was arrested early Monday by Jupiter police, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office booking blotter.
Late Monday, Woods released a statement about the incident, saying he understood the severity of his actions.
“I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly,” the statement says.
He went on to apologize to his family, friends and fans. “I expect more from myself too. I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again.”
He thanked the police for their professionalism. “I fully cooperated with law enforcement,” he said in the statement.
A spokeswoman for Jupiter Police said Woods was pulled over about 3 a.m. on Military Trail, just south of Indian Creek Parkway.
Woods was booked into the jail at 7:18 a.m. Monday and released at 10:50 a.m., the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office said.
The golfer has a home on Jupiter Island and owns The Woods Jupiter restaurant at Harbourside Place on Indiantown Road.
Woods, the winner of 14 major championships, has been battling injuries in recent years. He had committed to play in the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens in February but withdrew from the tournament because of ongoing back issues.
In April, he had back surgery that ensured he would be sidelined for all of golf’s majors for a second straight year.
Woods, 41, posted an update on his physical condition to his website on Wednesday.
“It has been just over a month since I underwent fusion surgery on my back, and it is hard to express how much better I feel,” he wrote. “It was instant nerve relief. I haven’t felt this good in years.”