Tiger Woods will lose his driver's license for five years after reaching a plea deal Wednesday in his impaired-driving case to avoid jail time.
The 15-time major champion who initially pleaded not guilty and entered a no-contest plea to all charges at Martin County Courthouse and was found guilty. Judge Darren Steele ordered two five-year license suspensions for reckless and careless driving to run together. "If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail" Steele warned.
Woods was fined about $1,500. The plea dropped the more serious DUI charge. He has 30 days to appeal.
State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl said prosecutors struggled to prove impairment since toxicologists found insufficient evidence linking Woods' hydrocodone use prescribed after multiple back and knee surgeries to impairment. He denied Woods received favorable treatment but cautioned the golfer against driving anywhere, given his fame.
The case stemmed from a March rollover crash near Woods' Jupiter Island home when his Land Rover flipped after he looked at his phone. No one was injured. Police found two hydrocodone pills on him and noted he appeared lethargic with bloodshot, dilated eyes.
Woods later traveled abroad for treatment, stepping away from golf to focus on his health. Prosecutors had obtained his prescription and hospital records earlier this year to build their case.
Woods, absent from competition since the 2024 British Open, holds 15 major titles 82 PGA Tour wins and a record 683 weeks as world number one.
