Home Golf Tiger Woods’ DUI case moves forward with a September hearing

Tiger Woods’ DUI case moves forward with a September hearing

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Tiger Woods of United States in action during Round 1 of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club
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Tiger Woods in action

Tiger Woods faces September court hearing

Eldrick T. Woods faces a September 8 court hearing in Martin County, Florida, after a March 27 crash near Jupiter Island. Woods has pleaded not guilty to 2 misdemeanor charges connected with the incident.

Woods is scheduled to appear in person at 8:30 a.m. The hearing follows earlier delays while prosecutors sought access to medical and prescription records connected with his treatment after the March crash.

Land Rover's Range Rover focus shot

Tiger Woods crash began during passing move

Martin County authorities said Woods was driving a Land Rover when he tried to pass a truck towing a pressure-cleaning trailer. His vehicle clipped the trailer before tipping onto its side along South Beach Road.

The crash happened shortly before 2 p.m. on a 2 lane road near Jupiter Island. Authorities said Woods and the truck driver were not injured after both vehicles came to rest following the collision.

Tiger Woods at an evnt

Tiger Woods showed impairment signs

Deputies said Woods showed several signs of possible impairment after leaving his vehicle. Reports described bloodshot eyes, slow movements, sweating, and difficulty completing some field tests administered by officers at the scene that afternoon.

Woods agreed to a breath test that produced a 0.00 reading, according to authorities. He later declined a urine test, leading prosecutors to file a separate misdemeanor charge for refusing lawful testing.

Wooden law gavel on Dollar notes in the background

Tiger Woods faces 2 misdemeanor charges

Investigators reported finding 2 prescription pain tablets identified as hydrocodone in Woods’ pocket after the crash. Prosecutors later sought prescription and hospital records while reviewing evidence connected with his condition that afternoon.

Authorities charged Woods with DUI involving property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Both counts are misdemeanors, and Woods has pleaded not guilty while the court process remains active.

Partial view of a judge holding a gavel and pen near

Tiger Woods pharmacy records were approved

Judge Darren Steele approved access to prescription records from a Palm Beach pharmacy in May 2026. The request covered prescriptions filled from the beginning of that year through the March 27 crash date.

The order allowed prosecutors to review dates, quantities, dosage instructions, refill information, and driving warnings. Woods’ legal team sought privacy protections that would limit who could examine those records during the ongoing proceedings.

Tiger Woods on the field during a golf game

Tiger Woods hospital records were released

Prosecutors later sought records from the Cleveland Clinic Martin South, where Woods received care after the crash. Steele approved access in June while placing the material under a protective order with limited distribution.

That order restricts access to prosecutors, designated law enforcement officers, state experts, and Woods’ defense team. The hospital and prescription materials are not intended for general public release under the court arrangement.

Tiger Woods on the field during game

Tiger Woods requested a jury trial

Woods entered a written not guilty plea on March 31 and requested a jury trial. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, also represented him in a separate 2017 driving case that ended with a reckless driving plea.

Duncan has challenged access to Woods’ private medical information during the current case. Judge Darren Steele ultimately permitted limited review of pharmacy and hospital records, with protective orders governing who may examine them.

Officer arresting young man

Tiger Woods had a separate 2017 case

The 2017 case followed an arrest in Florida after Woods was found asleep behind the wheel. He later entered a diversion program after pleading guilty to reckless driving, making the 2026 matter legally separate.

The current case involves different allegations, evidence, and court proceedings from the earlier matter. Woods’ not-guilty plea means both pending misdemeanor charges remain unresolved unless they are dismissed, resolved through an agreement, or resolved at trial.

PGA tour app on a screen

Tiger Woods stepped away after the crash

On March 31, Woods announced he was stepping away from professional golf to focus on his health and seek treatment. The PGA Tour supported his decision and said he was not expected to compete at the Masters.

Woods later traveled to Zurich, Switzerland, for specialized treatment after the March incident. Court reporting also said he received inpatient care outside the United States while the legal process continued during 2026.

Tiger Woods crouching on grass to read a putt

Tiger Woods had just returned to competition

Woods returned to competition shortly before the crash by playing for Jupiter Links in the TGL Finals on March 24, 2026. The appearance marked his first competitive golf action in more than 1 year.

He had not played an official PGA Tour event since the 2024 Open Championship. After the March 27 crash, Woods announced a treatment break and was not expected to play the 2026 Masters.

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Tiger Woods celebrating his US Open victory

Tiger Woods retains historic golf records

Woods remains one of golf’s most accomplished players while the current court case continues. The PGA Tour credits him with 82 career victories, tied for the record, while his official biography lists 15 major championships.

Those 15 major titles include 5 Masters victories, 4 PGA Championships, 3 U.S. Opens, and 3 Open Championships. Woods turned professional in 1996 and is listed by the PGA Tour as age 50.

Judge gavel and money on brown wooden table

Tiger Woods also received a driving citation

The current case also includes a careless driving citation tied to the March 27 crash. Court reporting listed a $163 civil penalty for that citation, separate from the 2 misdemeanor charges Woods is contesting.

The misdemeanor allegations remain DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Woods has pleaded not guilty, so neither charge represents a legal finding while the proceedings remain active.

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Tiger Woods of United States in action during Round 1 of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club

Tiger Woods case reaches its next stage

The September hearing comes nearly 6 months after the March 27 crash. Earlier dates were postponed while both sides worked through evidence requests, making the upcoming appearance the next scheduled step in court.

As of August 26, 2026, Woods has not been convicted in the current case. His not-guilty plea remains in place, and the September 8 hearing is scheduled to continue the proceedings.

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Tiger Woods now faces a September court hearing following his March crash and not-guilty plea. Do you think the case will affect how fans view his golf legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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