Tiger Woods lost his license for five years in a last-minute plea deal in his Florida DUI case.
The golf superstar, 50, appeared before a judge Wednesday morning at Martin County Courthouse in Stuart.
The judge noted that the defense and prosecution had reached a deal, resulting in Woods’ charges being reduced to reckless driving and careless driving.
The judge imposed a $1,000 fine for the first charge and a $500 fine for the second, with both carrying a five-year driving ban to run concurrent with each other.
“If you drive for any reason at all, you will be going back to jail,” the judge warned.
Woods was accompanied by his attorney, Douglas Duncan, and his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. He looked to her often during the brief hearing.
Page Six obtained exclusive video of the couple arriving at the courthouse in the same SUV and quietly making their way inside.
Woods was originally slated to appear in court on Sept. 8, but a motion was filed Tuesday that fast-tracked his time before the judge.
Woods, who was involved in a rollover crash near his Jupiter Island home on March 27, initially entered a not guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He was also issued a citation for reckless driving.
On March 31, he announced he was seeking treatment.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” he wrote on social media at the time.
“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
He spent nearly three months in a Switzerland rehab, aside from a brief breakto be by his girlfriend Vanessa Trump’s side amid her breast cancer battle.
At the scene of the accident, Woods failed field sobriety tests and admitted to taking a number of prescription medications earlier in the day. During a search of his person, responding officers located two loose pills that were later identified as hydrocodone, an opioid used to manage pain.
He was arrested on the scene and taken to the Martin County Jail.
According to the arrest affidavit, officials stated Woods showed signs of impairment, including “bloodshot and glassy” eyes and “lethargic and slow” movement. He denied drinking alcohol that day, and breathalyzer results backed that claim.
Woods told officers he was distracted by his cell phone and radio while driving his Land Rover before realizing that the car in front of him had slowed down to turn into a driveway.
The vehicle, a truck carrying a pressure washer trailer, sustained approximately $5,000 in damage in the crash.
It was the fourth significant car-related incident of Woods’ career, and his second DUI arrest.
Woods has slowly returned to the public eye in the months following his return from rehab, and his supporters were split over his appearance during a pre-recorded video honoring fellow golfer Notah Begay.
The post Tiger Woods loses license for 5 years in DUI plea deal as judge issues stern warning appeared first on Page Six.
