Tiger Woods Was Involved in a Rollover Crash. Here’s a History of His Car Accidents and Recovery Journey

Vanessa EtienneFri, March 27, 2026 at 11:03 PM UTC

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Tiger WoodsCredit: Andrew Redington/Getty

Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., on Friday, March 27, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said at a press conference.

The pro golfer, 50, was placed under arrest after the crash and taken to Martin County jail. Budensiek said at the press conference that Woods showed signs of “impairment,” and that he did not consume alcohol but refused a urinalysis.

Although Woods’ physical condition remains unknown, this isn’t the first time the 15-time major champion has been involved in a car crash. Some have led to lengthy recoveries.

Here’s a look at how Woods healed after his past accidents.

In November 2009, Woods crashed his car into a fire hydrant and a tree outside on his neighbor’s property in Windermere, Fla. He was taken to a nearby hospital, but ultimately no injuries were reported. He was later cited for careless driving.

In May 2017, Woods was arrested and charged with a DUI after police found him asleep at the wheel with several pain medications — including Vicodin — in his system, a toxicology report later revealed. The driver’s side of his vehicle was damaged, but he did not require hospitalization.

In June 2017, Woods announced that he was taking steps to make sure a similar incident would never happen again. He checked into a clinic for professional help with managing his prescription medication for back pain and a sleep disorder. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, and prosecutors dropped the DUI charge in exchange.

Tiger Woods in January 2026Credit: Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty

Woods’ most serious accident occurred in February 2021 when he was involved in a single-vehicle rollover car crash in Southern California. During the accident, his car struck a sign in the center divider, cut through a tree and landed alongside the road.

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Woods suffered significant orthopedic injuries to his right leg and underwent emergency surgery following the accident.

More specifically, his doctor said in a statement at the time that Woods suffered "comminuted open fractures," which means his tibia and fibula bones, the two main bones in the leg, had shattered and broken through the skin, requiring immediate surgery, along with smaller injuries to the ankle and foot.

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Woods later said doctors considered amputating his leg due to the severity of the accident. After surgery, he spent months in rehab, calling the injuries “more painful than anything I have ever experienced.''

In December 2021, Woods underwent a back procedure and microdiscectomy to address ongoing nerve pain.

In April 2023, the athlete also underwent surgery to address post-traumatic arthritis in his right ankle that was caused by injuries suffered during the 2021 car wreck.

Prior to his latest car accident, Woods was recovering from a lumbar disc replacement surgery in October 2025 to address lower back problems. He also had surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon in March 2025.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”