Tiger Woods told police he had consumed multiple prescription medications on the day he crashed his vehicle in Florida, according to court documents released Wednesday. The filings shed new light on what the 50-year-old golfer said to officers at the scene of the March 27 incident in Hobe Sound, where his car struck a trailer and overturned.
Woods acknowledged taking Vicodin, ibuprofen, and medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol earlier that day. He denied drinking alcohol, and a breath test confirmed no alcohol was present in his system. However, he refused to submit to a urine drug test, the documents state.
About an hour after the crash, before field sobriety tests were conducted, Woods made a series of remarks to officers that appeared disorienting. He told one officer that drones were flying over his home and car, mentioning "10 to 15 drones" equipped with GoPro cameras. He then stepped aside to take a phone call and, when asked to stay nearby, said he had been "talking to the president," though he trailed off without clarifying which president.
Donald Trump stated later that day that he had spoken with Woods following the incident. The former president noted that Woods "lives a life of pain" due to ongoing injuries but was "doing great." Woods has been dating Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of the ex-president, for more than a year.
Prosecutors are building their DUI case around Woods's statements, body camera footage, and testimony from multiple law enforcement officers. They have also filed a formal demand requiring Woods to notify them in advance if he plans to present an alibi defense at trial. Woods told officers he had been looking down at his phone to change the radio station when the collision occurred.
A separate filing shows prosecutors are seeking access to Woods's prescription records from the months leading up to the crash. His legal team has objected on privacy grounds and asked a judge to determine relevance. They have also requested a protective order limiting how any records could be used and preventing public disclosure.
Woods pleaded not guilty to DUI charges and was released on bail hours after his arrest. A Florida judge approved his request to travel abroad for inpatient treatment, which his attorney said was necessary for an intensive program addressing his health needs. In a statement days after the crash, Woods said he would step away from golf to seek treatment and focus on his health.
The golfer has faced previous high-profile vehicle incidents, including a 2021 crash in Los Angeles and a 2017 DUI arrest linked to prescription medication. He has struggled with chronic pain and injuries in recent years, undergoing a seventh back procedure and dealing with a ruptured achilles tendon. An 82-time PGA Tour winner, Woods last claimed a major championship at the 2019 Masters.
Author James Rodriguez: "The drone comments and presidential reference are bizarre enough to raise real questions about his state of mind that day, but the prosecution has to prove impairment, not odd statements."
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