It was around 2 p.m. Friday, local time, that Tiger Woods drove his car into a pressure washer on a two-lane road near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida.
The golf star's Land Rover overturned on the driver's side, but the 50-year-old managed to crawl out of the passenger side unharmed, Martin County police said at a press conference.
The 15-time major winner Woods showed signs of being under the influence, but a breath test showed no evidence of alcohol.
Trump: "Very close friend"
But when it came time for us to ask for a urine sample, he refused, said John Budensiek, Martin County Sheriff.
Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, vandalism and refusal to submit to a test in connection with the accident, Budensiek said.
We will never get any definitive answers about what influenced him at the time of the accident, said John Budensiek.
US President Donald Trump, who owns several golf courses, told reporters in Miami that he felt sorry for Woods.
"There has been an accident and that's all I know. He's a very close friend of mine. He's a great person, a great man," Trump said.
Under Florida's drunk driving laws, Woods will be held in custody for at least eight hours before being released.
This is not the first time Tiger Woods has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of illegal substances. In May 2017, he was found by police asleep behind the wheel of his badly parked car with an injury on the driver's side.
Woods said it was an "unexpected reaction" to a mix of painkillers and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Two years later, the American took home his 15th and most recent major title when he won the 2019 Masters. He has won 82 times on the PGA Tour, which is a shared record with Sam Snead.
Severe car crash 2021
Woods crashed his car outside Los Angeles, California, five years ago, seriously injuring his leg. Since then, the 50-year-old has had great difficulty returning to competitive play.
Earlier this week, Woods made his competitive comeback after a year-long absence when he played in a match in the TGL indoor league. The injured golfer did not rule out playing in the year's first major, the Masters at Augusta National, April 9-12.
"We'll see how it goes. I'll practice and play at home this week and keep trying to make progress," Woods said.
In October, the star underwent back surgery for the seventh time, and in March last year he also tore his Achilles tendon.
Born: December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California.
Lives: Jupiter Island, Florida.
Turned professional: 1996.
Major victories: 15 (US Masters 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019, US Open 2000, 2002, 2008, British Open 2000, 2005, 2006, PGA Championship 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007).
Number of victories on the PGA Tour: 82 (shared record with Sam Snead, USA).
World number one: Held the top spot for a total of 683 weeks, by far a record. First ranked number one in June 1997 and last in May 2014.
