Tiger Woods to appear in court Wednesday for a change of plea in his DUI case
By Emily Goodwin and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN
(CNN) — Tiger Woods is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for a change of plea hearing, court records show, five months after he said he was seeking recovery treatment after a rollover car crash led to charges of driving under the influence.
The golf champion was found at the scene of the crash in March not far from his home in Martin County, Florida – about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach. He failed a field sobriety test and had prescription painkillers in his pocket, according to an arrest affidavit.
He pleaded not guilty in March to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and refusal to submit to testing, and also received a traffic violation for careless driving. He was initially scheduled to appear in court on September 8.
But Woods is now scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. in the Martin County Courthouse on Wednesday for a plea conference, according to a notice filed in court. It is unclear how Woods may change his plea or if he has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
When CNN reached out to Woods’ representatives about the development Tuesday, one of his attorneys declined to comment.
The car crash was the latest in a series of crashes for Woods, and it marks the latest setback for the 15-time major championship winner as he attempts another comeback after years of injuries.
During the crash, Woods’ Land Rover crossed over double solid lines on the road and “maneuvered around” another vehicle with an attached trailer, which Woods struck, causing his car to flip onto its driver’s side, the affidavit said. Woods was unharmed. Woods told a deputy he had not seen the other vehicle slowing down because he was looking at his cell phone and changing the radio station, according to the affidavit.
He made multiple errors during field sobriety exercises. Deputies also found two hydrocodone pills — a prescription opioid used to treat severe, chronic pain — in his pocket, the affidavit said.
Woods told deputies he had not consumed any alcohol but had taken “a few” prescription medications earlier that day.
This past Sunday, Woods congratulated PGA Tour golfer Scottie Scheffler, who won the Tour Championship, claimed a second FedEx Cup title and surpassed Woods for the most PGA Tour career earnings.
“Three wins, five runner-ups and finishing the season No. 1. Those are some numbers to be proud of,” Woods posted on X. “Incredible consistency all season long. Congrats on a historic season, Scottie.”
CNN’s David Close, Vivian Kuo and Meredith Edwards contributed to this reporting.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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