BY MIRABEL ODETA
Tiger Woods is expected to change his not guilty plea in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
Woods is scheduled to appear in Martin County Circuit Court on Wednesday morning for a plea conference hearing. A notice of the hearing indicates that a change in his plea is expected, although court officials have not released further details about what plea Woods intends to enter or whether a separate agreement has been reached with prosecutors.
The case began after a March crash on Jupiter Island, where Woods’ Land Rover collided with a truck and rolled onto its side. The 50-year-old golfer was arrested and later charged with driving under the influence.
Woods initially pleaded not guilty to the charge in Martin County, located north of Palm Beach County. The upcoming hearing could mark a significant development in the case as prosecutors and Woods’ legal team continue to address questions surrounding the crash and his condition at the time.
According to an incident report, Woods was driving on a residential road near the beach where the posted speed limit was 30 mph when his Land Rover struck the truck. The collision caused an estimated $5,000 in damage to the other vehicle.
Woods was able to get out of the overturned vehicle without suffering injuries. He told a deputy at the scene that he had been looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he struck the truck.
Authorities said Woods agreed to take a Breathalyzer test, which did not detect alcohol. He declined to provide a urine sample, according to officials.
A sheriff’s office report also said deputies found two pain pills in Woods’ pocket and observed signs they believed were consistent with impairment. The circumstances surrounding the medication and its possible connection to the allegations are expected to remain an important part of the case.
Court records also indicate that Woods traveled outside the United States to receive treatment at an inpatient facility.
The court has previously approved agreements allowing prosecutors to review medical information connected to Woods and the crash. In July, Judge Darren Steele approved an agreement permitting prosecutors to examine medical records related to the incident and Woods’ arrest.
A similar agreement approved in May gave prosecutors access to Woods’ prescription medication records from a Palm Beach pharmacy covering the period from the beginning of the year through the end of March.
Those records could provide prosecutors with additional information as they evaluate the circumstances surrounding the DUI allegation and Woods’ condition at the time of the crash.
The expected plea change comes as Woods remains away from competitive golf. His playing career has been interrupted repeatedly in recent years by serious injuries, surgeries and other health challenges.
Woods has undergone multiple procedures involving his back and knees and has been involved in several vehicle crashes during his career.
His most serious recent crash occurred in February 2021 in Los Angeles. That accident left him with severe injuries to his right leg and required extensive treatment and rehabilitation. Woods later said the injuries were so serious that doctors had considered the possibility of amputation.
He was also involved in a 2009 crash near his Florida home. His SUV struck a fire hydrant and a tree in the early morning hours, an incident that was followed by intense public scrutiny and a lengthy break from professional golf.
Woods stepped away from the PGA Tour following that incident and has again been absent from tournament competition since the latest crash.
Despite his absence from the course, Woods remains one of the most prominent figures in professional golf. He became the first Black golfer to win the Masters when he captured the title in 1997 and went on to build one of the most successful careers in the sport’s history.
His achievements include 15 major championship victories and 82 PGA Tour wins, tying him with Sam Snead for the most victories in tour history.
Woods has also remained involved in the business and organizational side of professional golf. On June 23, he made his first public appearance after returning from treatment when he helped present plans concerning the PGA Tour’s proposed schedule changes for 2028.
He continued serving as chairman of the tour’s Future Competition Committee following his arrest. Woods did not take questions from reporters during that appearance.
The Wednesday hearing is expected to provide more information about the next stage of the DUI case and Woods’ legal position. Until the court proceedings take place, details surrounding the anticipated plea change remain limited.
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