Tiger Woods reveals he is getting ‘professional help’ after arrest
Woods has not played an event since February. Photo: Getty
Golf legend Tiger Woods has announced he is “receiving professional help” after he was arrested for driving under the influence in Florida last month.
The 41-year-old was asleep at the wheel when found by police, who described the American as having “extremely slow and slurred speech” in an official report.
Breath tests showed Woods had not consumed alcohol, though, and the former World No.1 said he had an adverse reaction to prescription drugs, including Xanax.
He released an apology after he was arrested and confirmed on Tuesday (AEST) that he was seeking help.
“I’m currently receiving professional help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain and a sleep disorder,” Woods posted on Twitter.
“I want to thank everyone for the amazing outpouring of support and understand, especially the fans and players on tour.”
Woods’ arrest came as he was recovering from a fourth bout of back surgery.
The 14-time major winner has been dogged by back problems in recent years, injuries that have seen him plummet down the official PGA Tour rankings.
Woods – who has won 79 times on the PGA Tour and was ranked the world’s top golfer for a record 683 weeks – has barely played in recent years.
He has competed in just 19 PGA Tour events since the end of 2013 and finished in the top 10 in just one of them.
Last month, Woods wrote on his official website about how he was feeling positive.
“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.
“Presently, I’m not looking ahead. I can’t twist for another two and a half to three months.
“Right now, my sole focus is rehab and doing what the doctors tell me. I am concentrating on short-term goals.”
Woods’ life infamously unravelled in 2009 when several allegations of infidelity led to the breakdown of his marriage.