JUPITER, FLORIDA — One of the biggest names in golf has denied that alcohol was a factor after he was bunkered on drunk-driving charges.
Tiger Woods was arrested in the early hours of Monday in Jupiter, Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Police stopped the 41-year-old golfer in his car on Military Trail, south of Indian Creek Parkway, at around 3 a.m, NBC-affiliate WPTV reported.
It is unclear whether Woods refused to take a breathalyzer test before he was taken into custody.
However, according to TMZ, an officer smelled alcohol on Woods’ breath and the golf legend acted arrogantly as he refused to blow into a breathalyzer. In Florida that would mean an automatic arrest and license suspension.
Woods was reportedly released several hours later on his own recognizance. He apologized and said he had experienced an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.
Woods has been plagued by back problems for the past three years and hasn’t played golf since pulling out of a tournament in Dubai in February.
Last month, the 14-time major champion posted on his website that he had undergone surgery for pain in his back and legs.
In 2009, Woods drove into a tree while under the influence of the prescription drug Ambien, as his relationship with his then wife went seriously downhill.
Woods was not charged with a DUI at the time.