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Tiger Woods Pleads No Contest to Reckless Driving After Florida Rollover Crash/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to reckless driving after a March rollover crash near his Florida home. The reduced charge replaced an initial driving-under-the-influence allegation, and a judge suspended Woods’ driver’s license for five years. Neither Woods nor the other driver was injured, but Woods later entered inpatient treatment and has not returned to tournament golf.

Quick Look

• Woods entered the no-contest plea Wednesday in Martin County, Florida.
• The golfer initially pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence.
• He accepted a reduced charge of reckless driving.
• A judge suspended his driver’s license for five years.
• Woods’ SUV clipped a truck and rolled onto its side in March.
• Neither Woods nor the truck’s driver was injured.
• Police estimated damage to the truck at $5,000.
• Deputies said they found two pain pills in Woods’ pocket.
• Woods tested negative for alcohol but declined a urine test.
• He told a deputy he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio.
• Woods later received treatment at an inpatient facility outside the United States.
• He has not returned to tournament competition since the crash.

Deep Look

Woods enters no-contest plea

Tiger Woods entered a no-contest plea Wednesday to reckless driving in connection with a March rollover crash near his home in Florida.

The 50-year-old golfer appeared in a Martin County courtroom and accepted the reduced charge after initially pleading not guilty to driving under the influence.

A judge ordered Woods’ driver’s license suspended for five years.

A no-contest plea means Woods did not formally admit guilt but accepted the court’s punishment without challenging the charge.

Vanessa Trump accompanies Woods

Woods said little during the hearing.

Before proceedings began, he sat at the defense table and occasionally looked toward the courtroom gallery.

He arrived at the courthouse with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump. She sat behind Woods during the hearing.

SUV clipped truck and overturned

Woods was arrested following the March crash on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island.

Authorities said his Land Rover clipped a truck and rolled onto its side.

Neither Woods nor the occupant of the other vehicle was injured, according to officials.

A police report estimated that Woods’ SUV caused approximately $5,000 in damage to the truck.

Woods told a deputy that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he struck the vehicle.

Deputies reported possible impairment

A sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in Woods’ pocket and observed signs of possible impairment.

Woods took a Breathalyzer test that detected no alcohol. He declined to provide a urine sample.

The initial DUI charge was subsequently reduced to reckless driving as part of the plea resolution.

Woods sought inpatient treatment

Court records show that Woods left the United States to receive care at an inpatient treatment facility after the crash.

His career has previously been affected by multiple back and knee operations, vehicle crashes and dependence on pain medication.

The March incident was the fourth crash involving Woods over the years.

He stepped away from professional golf following a 2009 crash and again after the most recent accident.

Tournament return remains uncertain

Woods has not returned to tournament competition since the March crash.

He made his first public appearance following treatment on June 23when he introduced the PGA Tour’s plans for a redesigned 2028 schedule.

Woods did not answer questions during that appearance.

Despite his arrest and absence from competition, he remained chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee.

No timetable has been announced for his possible return to tournament play.

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