Tiger Woods 'embarrassed and ashamed' after latest arrest as Masters absence explained

Callum Vurley
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:49:22 +0000

Tiger Woods is said to be struggling profoundly with the aftermath of his latest brush with the law.

According to People magazine, a source close to Woods revealed that he was "embarrassed and ashamed at the latest accident."

The 50-year-old, whilst sometimes prone to defensiveness, has reportedly taken this incident particularly hard.

"He wants to fix his problems. There is nobody more interested in seeing Tiger come out a winner again than Tiger," the source stated.

Woods has never handled public humiliation or defeat well, the insider noted.

Nevertheless, he is said to be "committed now to getting better, however long that takes."

The American golfer has been conspicuously absent from the professional circuit since his arrest on 27 March in Florida.

Woods failed to appear at Augusta National for this year's Masters, a tournament where he has claimed five green jackets throughout his illustrious career.

Reports indicate he is presently undergoing treatment at a facility in Switzerland, far removed from the media glare that has followed him throughout his career.

His team has confirmed he is stepping away from the sport to prioritise his wellbeing.

"I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health," Woods stated. "This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery."

The incident occurred on South Beach Road in Hobe Sound, mere miles from Woods' residence in Jupiter Island.

Woods told police he had been distracted by his mobile phone and was adjusting the radio when he failed to notice a truck ahead had slowed.

His Range Rover clipped the rear of the vehicle, which was towing a trailer, causing the SUV to overturn onto its side.

Woods was forced to escape through a window.

Though he passed a breathalyser test at the scene, officers suspected impairment and took him into custody.

Authorities reportedly discovered two hydrocodone tablets in his pocket, and he subsequently declined a urine test.

Florida prosecutors have now charged him with driving under the influence and are seeking to subpoena his pharmaceutical records.

The prospect of Woods returning to competitive golf remains shrouded in uncertainty.

His representatives have offered no indication of when, or indeed whether, he might resume playing at the highest level.

Woods has not competed in a PGA Tour event for nearly two years, his career plagued by a succession of back surgeries and the extensive leg reconstruction required following his 2021 car accident.

The tour, meanwhile, presses on without its former linchpin, with younger players now commanding the leaderboards at major championships.

Whether this season might yet see his return remains technically possible, though no schedule exists.

The sport's most dominant figure of a generation remains, for now, entirely absent.