Tiger Woods to Appear in Court for Change of Plea in DUI Case

Tiger Woods is expected in a Florida courtroom Wednesday morning for a change of plea hearing in his DUI case, according to court documents. The appearance follows a series of legal proceedings stemming from a March incident.

Mr. Woods had pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge in Martin County circuit court, just north of Palm Beach County. He faced a charge of driving under the influence and refusal to submit to testing, which are both misdemeanours. His attorney, Doug Duncan, filed a plea of not guilty on his behalf.

The change of plea hearing is scheduled for 8:30 m. ET before Judge Darren Steele, as reported by several news outlets. The notice of the hearing was posted Tuesday, according to reports. The nature of the plea change has not been disclosed.

A change of plea hearing is different from a typical status hearing, as the defendant is required to be present, according to reports. This is a departure from earlier proceedings, where Mr. Woods' lawyers could have represented him without his physical presence.

Details of the March Incident and Arrest

The case against Mr. Woods stems from March 27 when Martin County sheriff's deputies located his Land Rover after a rollover crash on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island, Florida. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

According to an incident report, Mr. Woods' Land Rover clipped a truck, rolled onto its side. He told deputies he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he struck the vehicle. He managed to crawl out of his vehicle, which caused $5,000 in damage to the truck.

Deputies reported that they observed signs of impairment, including an admission from Mr. Woods that he had taken some prescription medication. A Breathalyzer test showed no signs of alcohol, but Mr. Woods refused a urine test, according to the police report. Deputies also recovered two hydrocodone pills from his pocket. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and was later taken into custody.

In a social media post, Mr. Woods said he understood the seriousness of the situation and planned to step away to focus on his health and recovery. "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. 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 toward lasting recovery," he said.

Legal Proceedings and Case History

The driving under the influence incident was not the first for the golf legend. In 2009, his SUV struck a fire hydrant and a tree outside his home near Orlando, Florida. He pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge in that case.

In 2017, Mr. Woods was found asleep at the wheel of his car in Florida, leading to charges of driving under the influence. He later said he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medication, according to authorities.

A judge subsequently approved an agreement allowing prosecutors to review Mr. Woods' medical records related to the incident and arrest. The order also allowed for the release of medical records related to any treatment he has received.

Career and Public Appearances

Mr. Woods is considered one of the most successful golfers in history. He has won 15 major championships, second only to Jack Nicklaus with 18. He has also won 82 PGA Tour events, a record he shares with Sam Snead. He spent 683 weeks as world number one and is the only player to hold all four Major titles at the same time, a feat known as the "Tiger Slam."

Following the March incident, Mr. Woods made his first public appearance in an interview on July 13, introducing the PGA Tour's plans to revamp its schedule for 2028. He did not take questions during that appearance.