Tiger Woods was asleep at the wheel: police report
Olympian? Tiger Woods hopes to make the US Olympic golf team. Photo: Palm Beach County Sheriff
Tiger Woods was asleep at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz stopped on a Florida road and did not know where he was, says a police report released a day after the former world No. 1 golfer was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.
Woods, 41, has blamed the incident on prescription medications.
Woods had “extremely slow and slurred speech” after being awakened by a Florida police officer, who found the car the golfer was driving stopped in the right lane of the roadway and still running with the right blinker light flashing, the report said.
Woods was heading south, away from his Jupiter Island home, before his arrest at about 3am on Monday US time, according to the report.
The report said Woods was cooperative but had difficulty walking and keeping his eyes open.
The police report said that during his interaction with the arresting officer, Woods “changed his story of where he was going and where he was coming from.”
At one point he indicated he was returning from a golf trip in Los Angeles, the report said.
The athlete, currently sidelined from competition after his fourth back surgery in April, said on Monday that an unexpected reaction to legal drugs led to his arrest on the DUI charge.
Woods was also cited for improper parking.
Two breath tests showed Woods’ blood alcohol content to be zero, according to the report, which added he performed several field sobriety tests incorrectly.
“I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved,” Woods said in a statement Tuesday.
“What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.”
Woods apologised, saying, “I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again.”
Woods, a 14-time major winner, was released from jail on his own recognisance and is due in court on July 5, records show.
His mug shot from the jail – showing lifeless eyes and scraggly facial hair – provided a stark illustration of how much Woods’ mystique has been shattered since a decade of domination that golf had never seen.
It left players on the PGA Tour hopeful for better times, and not just on the golf course.
“I feel bad for Tiger,” Jack Nicklaus said.
“Tiger is a friend. He’s been great for the game of golf, and I think he needs all our help.”
Woods remains a favourite among players young and old.
“I’m concerned about him,” said Steve Stricker, the US Presidents Cup captain who chose Woods as one of his assistants.
He said he exchanged texts with Woods on Monday and that Woods told him no alcohol was involved.
This was not Woods’ first run-in with Florida police. A bizarre early morning car crash outside his then-home in 2009 rapidly ballooned into a sex scandal involving allegations of extramarital affairs with several women.
His previously unblemished life and career were turned upside down as he lost both his marriage and some lucrative endorsement deals.
Woods’ current sponsors – including Nike, Bridgestone and Monster Energy – did not immediately comment on Tuesday.