Tiger Woods Pleads No Contest to Reckless Driving, License Suspended Five Years

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Tiger Woods changed his plea to no contest in his driving under the influence case in a Florida court on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. As part of a plea agreement, he agreed to a five-year driver's license suspension. The prosecution amended the initial charge of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test to reckless driving, second offense, and a careless driving citation. The judge told Woods the suspension is for the safety of the public and warned that driving for any reason would result in immediate jail time. Woods was arrested in March following a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida. No one was injured in the crash. An arrest report stated Woods was traveling at high speeds on a residential road with a 30 mph speed limit. His Land Rover clipped a truck, causing $5,000 in damage, and rolled onto its side. Woods told a deputy he had been looking down at his phone and changing the radio station at the time of the collision. Deputies at the scene said Woods appeared impaired. He agreed to a Breathalyzer test, which registered zero alcohol, but refused an urine test. Two pills, later identified as the opioid hydrocodone, were found in his pants pocket. Woods had previously pleaded not guilty to the original DUI charge. Florida State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl stated that proving impairment from drugs, not alcohol, is difficult, and the lack of an urine test meant officials don't know what exactly was in his bloodstream. Woods' defense could have provided explanations for behaviors like difficulty walking, citing past injuries. Woods appeared in court with his attorney, Douglas Duncan, and his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. He left the courthouse without addressing reporters.

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