American golf superstar Tiger Woods has announced he is "stepping away" to "seek treatment and focus on my health" on the same day he pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence in Florida. His plea, entered on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT), came hours after a sheriff's report detailed that he had pain pills and showed signs of impairment at the scene of last week's crash.
Legal Proceedings and Health Announcement
The online court docket for Martin County, Florida, showed Woods submitted a written plea of not guilty and planned to waive his appearance during an arraignment hearing scheduled for next month. Shortly after, Woods released a brief statement addressing his current situation.
"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," he wrote. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my wellbeing and work towards lasting recovery."
He added, "I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."
Details from the Crash and Investigation
Earlier, Woods told authorities he was looking at his phone and did not realise the truck in front of him had slowed before his rollover crash in Florida last week. According to a probable-cause affidavit obtained on Tuesday, Woods had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket, and officers observed him to be lethargic, slow, "sweating profusely" with eyes that were bloodshot, glassy, and pupils that were "extremely dilated."
The report stated that deputies found two white pills, later identified as the opioid hydrocodone used to treat pain, in his pocket. When asked during the criminal DUI investigation if he took any prescription medication, the 50-year-old golfer replied "I take a few," adding he had done so earlier in the morning.
Officer Observations and Field Sobriety Tests
A Martin County sheriff's deputy wrote in the report that Woods, when questioned about the collision, said he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station, which caused him not to see a truck slowing before the crash. The officer noted in the report that Woods was "limping and stumbling" and informed him that he has had seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg.
Woods, a 15-time major champion and widely regarded as the greatest golfer of his generation, was arrested last Friday afternoon on a charge of driving under the influence after his Land Rover rolled over on a two-lane road near his Jupiter Island home. The vehicle had travelled at "high speeds" and clipped the truck, resulting in $US5000 ($A7250) damage to the truck, though no one was injured in the crash. He was released on bail that night.
The officer also reported that Woods was "extremely alert and talkative" and had "hiccups during the entire investigation." Woods, who mentioned last Tuesday he was hoping to be ready to compete in the Masters from April 9, told the officer he has a limp and that his ankle seizes while walking.
The deputy who conducted a series of field sobriety tests stated in the report that, based on his training, "I believed that Woods' normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle." Woods' manager did not immediately respond when asked to comment on details of the probable-cause affidavit.
