Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf has come to an abrupt end following a DUI arrest and a declaration that he is stepping away from the sport indefinitely.
Woods, 50, made his return at the TGL Finals in Florida on March 24, where his Jupiter Links GC squad was dominated 9-2 by the Los Angeles Golf Club. Woods displayed glimpses of his former prowess, hitting drives over 300 yards, but his comments following the match underscored the continued battle with injuries and a body that refuses to comply.
“We got our **** kicked at the end,” Woods admitted after the match. “Three eagles in a row, we didn’t respond.”
The 15-time major winner has endured a brutal series of health issues. He had L4-L5 disc replacement surgery in October, his seventh back procedure, and previously underwent surgery to fix a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. Woods has not competed on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour since missing the cut at The Open Championship in July 2024, more than 600 days.
Woods was a last-minute addition to the Jupiter Links roster, teaming with PGA Tour golfers Max Homa and Tom Kim. Jupiter Links jumped to an early 2-0 lead before the match collapsed, with Los Angeles rattling off three straight eagles to seal the title. English golfer Justin Rose, who lost a playoff to fellow golfer Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Masters, delivered the decisive blow on the par-five 10th. Despite the lopsided result, Woods showed flashes of his former power, including a 318-yard drive on the signature “Stinger” hole. “Welcome back, young man,” Homa told him after an early 279-yard 3-wood.
Woods had been in a non-playing role with Jupiter Links during the 2026 TGL season while recovering from back surgery, having played just 11 official events since his nearly fatal car crash in February 2021.
Any hope of a Masters appearance was shattered days later. On Friday, March 27, Woods was arrested for driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit a DUI test following a two-car crash near his Jupiter Island home — his second DUI arrest after a similar incident in May 2017. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s arrest affidavit, Woods said he was looking down at his cell phone when the crash occurred.
Officers described him as “sweating profusely” with “lethargic and slow movements,” and found two white hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket, which Woods himself identified as “Norco.” Bodycam footage released April 2 by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office showed Woods telling a deputy at the scene that he had just gotten off the phone with “the president,” in an apparent reference to President Donald Trump, who is a close friend of Woods and whose former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, is dating the golfer. Trump, asked about the arrest shortly after, told reporters: “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty. Very close friend of mine.” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed no serious injuries, though he noted that Woods had to crawl out of his window following the collision.
On March 31, Woods announced he is stepping away from golf for an indefinite period to seek treatment and focus on his health. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” he said in a statement. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.” He entered a plea of not guilty in court earlier that day. The following day, a judge granted Woods’ request to seek treatment outside the United States, with his attorney citing his repeatedly compromised privacy as part of the justification.
Augusta National Golf Club confirmed Woods will not compete in the Masters, which begins April 9. “Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being,” chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement. “Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta.” PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp added: “My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and support.” Woods also turned down an offer to serve as United States captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, with the PGA of America stating it “commends Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health.”
Woods was chasing history at Augusta. His five Masters wins leave him one shy of golf legend Jack Nicklaus’s record of six. Whether he will ever get the chance to pursue it now remains deeply uncertain.