Tiger Woods Set to Change Plea After Florida Crash Arrest

Golf legend Tiger Woods is due in a Florida court on Wednesday to change his initial not-guilty plea in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in March, according to court documents.

The 50-year-old 15-time major champion is scheduled to appear before Martin County Circuit Judge Darren Steele at 8:30 a.m. ET for a change-of-plea hearing. Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed the request for the hearing on Tuesday. However, court records do not disclose what new plea Woods intends to enter.

Woods was arrested on March 27 after his Land Rover crashed on Jupiter Island, Florida. According to the arrest report, the vehicle clipped a truck and rolled onto its side. Woods was not injured.

Police said he showed several signs of possible impairment, including bloodshot and glassy eyes, extreme pupil dilation, lethargic movements and heavy sweating.

Woods told deputies that he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio station before the collision. A breath test recorded no alcohol, but he declined to provide a urine sample for further testing. Police also found two hydrocodone pills in his possession.

Woods was initially charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, both misdemeanour charges, and subsequently pleaded not guilty.

Although the court docket identifies Wednesday’s proceeding as a change-of-plea hearing, neither Woods’ lawyer nor prosecutors have publicly confirmed what the new plea will be.

Some reports have suggested the case could involve a plea to a lesser traffic-related offence, but that has not been confirmed by Woods’ legal team or prosecutors. Reuters reported that no details of the new plea had been disclosed.

The uncertainty has generated considerable attention because Woods’ earlier filing indicated that he had been preparing to defend himself at trial.

Following the crash, Woods announced that he would take time away from golf to focus on his health. A Florida judge later permitted him to leave the United States for treatment at an inpatient facility.

Court records also show that prosecutors were granted access to certain medical and prescription records connected to the incident. Woods returned to public view in June when he appeared at a PGA Tour event to discuss changes to the tour’s future schedule.

The latest court appearance adds another chapter to a difficult period for the former world No. 1, whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by serious injuries, surgeries and previous driving incidents.

Woods has won 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour titles, tying Sam Snead for the tour’s all-time victory record.

For now, the key question is what plea Woods will enter when he appears before the judge.