Tiger Woods tells deputy he was ‘talking to the president’ after Florida crash, body camera video shows
Tiger Woods tells deputy he was ‘talking to the president’ after Florida crash, body camera video shows
On Thursday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office released body camera footage capturing Tiger Woods’ moment of conversation with a deputy after a recent rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Florida. The video shows Woods responding to the officer’s request to remain at the scene, claiming he had just finished a call with ‘the president.’ While the exact identity of the individual he referenced remains unclear, the golfer’s remarks add an intriguing layer to the incident.
Crash Details and Initial Interaction
The accident occurred when Woods’ Land Rover collided with a trailer as a truck maneuvered into a driveway. In the clip, Woods is seen holding a phone as he walks away from the deputy, though no audio of the conversation is captured. He is later heard saying ‘thank you, thank you’ before ending the call. The incident report notes that the vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 in damage to its rear left fender and the trailer’s wheel, with no injuries reported.
“Yeah, I was just talking to the president,” Woods says in the footage.
Medical Condition and Impairment
According to the incident report, Woods mentioned having undergone multiple surgeries on his back and leg, and that his ankle occasionally seizes while walking. The deputy observed signs of impairment, including bloodshot and glassy eyes, extremely dilated pupils, and slow, lethargic movements. During field sobriety tests, he struggled with balance and was noted as ‘limping and stumbling to the right.’
Arrest and Field Sobriety Tests
Woods was arrested Friday following the crash, which caused his SUV to flip. He later pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving under the influence. In one clip, a deputy asks, “How much have you had to drink today?” Woods responds, “None,” but adds he had taken Motrin and other medications, some of which were redacted. The video shows him completing sobriety exercises while hiccuping, eventually leading to his handcuffing.
“So at this time, I do believe your normal faculties are impaired and you’re under an unknown substance. So at this time, you’re under arrest for DUI,” the deputy states.
Golfing Moments Amid the Chaos
Even during the arrest, Woods’ reputation as a top-tier golfer was evident. A deputy humorously asks, “Is that putter just one, one that you take it with your career or what?” Woods replies, “I’ve won 14 majors with it,” prompting the officer to comment, “Oh with that putter. Wow,” before adding, “They don’t call you the GOAT for nothing, man.”
“I’m getting arrested?” Woods asks, to which the deputy replies, “Yes, sir.”
Medications and Post-Arrest Scene
Authorities discovered hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket, used for pain relief, during a search of his belongings. In another video, he hiccups as he sits in the back of a squad car, quipping, “Well, this is fun,” and asking how long his jail time will last. His clubs were removed from the flipped SUV and handed to his manager, with one deputy calling the equipment “a piece of history.”
Earlier, Trump had claimed to have spoken with Woods after the crash, stating the golfer was “doing good” but “lives a life of pain.” The White House did not immediately comment on the situation. Woods’ arraignment was waived on Tuesday, and he formally denied the DUI charge this week.
