Tiger Woods Controversies Revisited as Floridians Demand No Leniency in DUI Case

Tiger Woods is not only one of the most prolific but also one of the most controversial athletes of his generation. While he went on to set multiple golf records, his personal life was marred by repeated scandals that tarnished his image.

From infidelity to multiple DUI arrests, Woods has faced it all. However, he has always avoided jail time. In March 2026, he was once again charged with DUI-related offenses after being involved in a rollover crash in Florida. A group of Floridians has now demanded strict punishment for Woods, given the golfer’s repeated offenses.

Woods’ troubles began in 2009, when a tabloid reported that he was having an affair while being married to his then-wife Elin Nordegren. Soon after the report emerged, Woods crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree outside his Florida home. Nordegren then used a golf club to smash the rear window of the car to rescue him.

Over the next few weeks, more than a dozen women came forward claiming that they had had affairs with Woods. The athlete then took a hiatus from golf and entered rehabilitation, while he and Nordegren divorced in 2010.

In May 2017, Woods was involved in a DUI incident after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his running car. The car was stopped in a traffic lane and had two flat tires. Even though Woods appeared disoriented, he passed a breathalyzer test. A toxicology report later revealed he had a mix of painkillers, sleep medication, and THC in his system.

Woods stated it was a reaction to prescribed medications as he had recently undergone a back surgery. While he was initially charged with DUI, he pleaded guilty to reckless driving. He was spared jail time and ordered to complete a diversion program.

In February 2021, Woods once again made headlines after facing a near-fatal crash in Rolling Hills Estates, California. At the time, his car ran over a median, hit a tree, and rolled over several times. While the road had a speed limit of 45 mph, Woods was reportedly driving at 84 to 87 mph at the time.

He suffered fractures in his right leg and had to undergo extensive surgery. Despite the accident, no charges were filed against him as authorities stated there were no signs of impairment.

Two years later, Woods faced another controversy after his former girlfriend, Erica Herman, filed a lawsuit against him. In her filing, Herman cited the Speak Out Act and said she wanted to cancel a nondisclosure agreement she had signed with Woods. However, she later clarified she was never a victim of abuse and dismissed the lawsuit.

Finally, in March 2026, Woods was attempting to pass a truck on a narrow road in Florida when his vehicle overturned. The police conducted a breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol in his system. However, he refused a drug test at the scene, which is considered a misdemeanor under Florida law.

Once again, he was charged with DUI with property damage and pleaded not guilty. Woods has now temporarily stepped away from golf to seek treatment. Meanwhile, Floridians continue to urge the court not to be lenient with the athlete this time.

On May 4, a group of locals wrote a letter to a judge, saying, “This is not about hatred toward Tiger Woods. This is about equal justice and public safety. Mr. Woods has already received leniency in the past.”