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Tiger Woods timeline of trouble, from 2009 cheating scandal to latest DUI car crash

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Tiger Woods timeline of trouble, from 2009 cheating scandal to latest DUI car crash originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In a hypothetical list of the best athletes of the 21st century so far, it wouldn't take one long to come to Tiger Woods' name. A 15-time major winner, including five Masters titles, Woods is on the short list of all-time legendary golfers.

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If there was one thing associated with Woods in his prime years, it was dominance. He was regularly contending for PGA Tour wins, becoming one of the most well-known athletes in the world along the way.

But over time, Woods' name has also increasingly become synonymous with controversy. Off the greens, he's been wrapped up in various legal issues throughout his career — including in early 2026, when he stepped away from golf following a car crash and DUI charge.

Here's a full timeline of Woods' trouble away from golf.

MORE: Where does Tiger Woods rank among the most Masters wins ever? 

Tiger Woods 2009-10 infidelity scandal

November 2009: A story from the National Esquirer alleged that Woods had an extramarital affair with "New York City party girl" Rachel Uchitel, who denied the allegeations. Woods had been married to, and had two children with, former Swedish model Elin Nordegren since October 2004.

On Nov. 27, Woods was in a single-car accident, crashing his Cadillac into a fire hydrant, tree and hedges near his house in Florida. The star golfer was cited for careless driving, but did not have significant injuries outside of facial cuts and bruises. The crash occurred around 2 a.m., leading to speculation about the cause of it, given the recent infidelity allegations against Woods. He then released a statement about the crash. 

"This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again," Woods' statement said. "This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible."

On Dec. 2, another report from US Weekly detailed another alleged affair for Woods with a " 24 year-old Los Angeles cocktail waitress," accusing him of leaving a message to her phone that asked her to change her voicemail greeting because "my wife went through my phone and may be calling you." The waitress, Jaimee Grubbs, also detailed an alleged 31-month-long affair with Woods, dating since April 2007. 

In response to those allegations, Woods apologized for "transgressions."

"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone," Woods' statement read. "Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect."

"Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult. I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology."

The infidelity accusations against Woods continued in the coming days, with an increasing number of women claiming to media outlets that they had an affair with the star golfer.

On Dec. 11, 2009, Woods released a third statement about the matter, publicly admitting to his infidelity.

"I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children," Woods' statement said.

He also announced he would take an "indefinite" break from golf; in the aftermath of the allegations against Woods and his admittance, he lost some of his top endorsement deals, including AT&T, General Motors, Gatorade and Accenture. A study later done showed that shareholder losses associated with Woods' scandal ranged from $5-12 billion, per the Daily News.

Feb. 2010: Woods made another statement, this time on TV, about the aftermath of his infidelity controversy. He said that he completed a 45-day therapy program.

"I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in. I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife, Elin, and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say," Woods said in his statement. "Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us."

"I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position. For all that I have done, I am so sorry."

"I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame. The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame."

Woods later announced that he would return for the 2010 Masters Tournament. In August 2010, Woods and Nordegren were divorced.

MORE: Full Masters winners by year

Tiger Woods 2017 DUI arrest

May 29, 2017: Woods was arrested near his Jupiter Island, Florida, home around 3 a.m. local time for driving under the influence. He had been found asleep at the wheel of his car, stopped in a traffic lane with the engine still running.

Police said Woods "had extremely slow and slurred speech" and initially told them he was coming from "L.A." and on his way to "Orange County" before stating that he had no idea where he was, per ESPN. He also told police he was taking several prescriptions, including two painkillers, but he showed no signs of alcoholic impairment after a breathalyzer test.

A police report later said that the tires on the driver's side of Woods' car were flat at the time of his arrest and that there was damage to the front and rear bumpers, per ESPN. 

Woods was booked that morning, then released on his own recognizance around 10:50 a.m. 

"I understand the severity of what I did, and I take full responsibility for my actions," Woods said in a statement at the time, per ESPN. "I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn't realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly."

In July 2017, Woods shared on social media that he completed an out-of-state intensive program.

At his arraignment for his charge in August 2017, Woods' attorney submitted a not-guilty plea. Woods agreed to enter a first‑time DUI offender program.

At a later hearing in October 2017, he pleaded guilty to reckless driving, which came with one year of probation, a $250 fine, 50 hours of community service and regular drug testing. 

MORE: Why Stephen A. Smith called out Tiger Woods' privilege following 2026 DUI arrest

Tiger Woods 2021 car crash with severe injuries

Feb. 23, 2021: Woods was involved in a single-car rollover crash in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He was the only person in his vehicle, a Genesis GV80 SUV, and he was transported by ambulance to Habor-UCLA Medical Center. At the time, Woods had been staying in the area after hosting the Genesis Invitational golf tournament, and he was on his way to Rolling Hills Country Club around 7 a.m. when he crashed the car. Woods had to be extracted from his vehicle after the crash.

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Immediately after the crash, Woods' team said in a statement that he was "awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room," but he had undergone surgery on his leg and ankle with "significant orthopedic injuries."

The Los Angeles county police report later said that Woods had been driving at nearly twice the posted speed limit of 45 mph at the time of the crash, per the Los Angeles Times, and Woods "inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway" led to the rollover crash.  The sheriff's department also said Woods was "lucky to be alive."

No charges were filed in the incident; authorities said there was no evidence that Woods was impaired. According to ESPN, Woods had multiple "open fractures" to his lower right leg,  had a rod placed in his tibia and screws and pins inserted in his foot and ankle during an emergency surgery.

Woods remained in recovery until his return to golf at the 2022 Masters Tournament.

MORE: Revisiting Tiger Woods' 2021 crash

Tiger Woods 2026 car crash, DUI charge

Mar. 27, 2026: Woods was involved in a two-car collision that resulted in his vehicle, a Range Rover, being turned onto its side in Jupiter Island, Florida. The crash took place around 2 p.m. ET near Woods' home in the area. No injuries were reported on the scene following the wreck.

Police said that the crash came when a pickup truck was attempting to make a turn, slowing while driving towards the bend, and when Woods made an attempt to avoid the truck, he clipped the back end of the trailer, sending his car spinning onto its driver side window.

Authorities then said their investigation into the crash found that Woods showed signs of impairment after completing field sobriety tests. Woods was arrested, submitted to a breathalyzer test and showed no signs of alcoholic impairment, but because he then declined a urine test, he was charged with two misdemeanors: DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Woods had a mugshot taken, remained in jail for eight hours and was released on bail that evening. 

The police report also said Woods claimed he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio station at the time of the crash. When police searched Woods following him being placed in handcuffs, they found two white pills in his pocket labeled as hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller medication. He told police that he takes "a few" medications.

Woods' lawyer later submitted a guilty plea to Martin County Court. In a statement, Woods said he would be stepping away "for a period of time" to "seek treatment." He was confirmed to not be attending the 2026 Masters, with his playing status already up in the air due to injuries, and he also stepped down as the captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team. 

Body cam footage was also later released from Woods' arrest. Over various clips, Woods could be seen being checked by police for injuries, telling them he was on his phone, moving through field sobriety tests, being placed in handcuffs and into a police car. Before his arrest but after the crash, Woods also told police he had spoken on the phone to President Donald Trump.

MORE: Everything to know about Tiger Woods' 2026 car crash

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