Golf great Tiger Woods was arrested Monday and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to reports.
The four-time Masters victor was seen blacked out behind the wheel of his 2015 Mercedes-Benz, according to police reports seen by the Palm Beach Post.
The arresting officer said Woods was slurring his speech and didn’t know where he was as his car sat in the right lane of Military Trail.
Police found Woods buckled into the driver’s seat of the car, his foot holding the brake down, the brake lights on, and turning signal blinking.
Woods initially told police he was “coming from L.A. California from golfing,” but soon admitted he wasn’t sure where he was.
After police secured the vehicle, Woods was unable to stand on his own and the arresting officer thought he smelled alcohol. The golfer also needed to have instructions for a field sobriety test explained to him several times before he was able to comprehend what officers wanted him to do.
But, officers did not find alcohol in Woods’ system. He took two breathalyzer tests scoring .000.
Woods then admitted that he had taken a mixture of medications, the pain pill Vicodin, and two anti-inflammatory medications Soloxex and Torix.
“I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly,” Woods said later in a statement Monday night. “I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions.”
The player was booked at 7 AM on May 29 but was released by 10:50 a.m. under his own recognizance.
If convicted, a first offense on a misdemeanor DUI charge carries a $1,000 fine, mandatory 50 hours of community service or additional fine of $10 for each hour of community service required, and up to six months in jail.
Woods will face an arraignment hearing on July 5 before Judge Sandra Bosso-Pardo.
Woods was once ranked the number one golfer in the world, but in the last few years health troubles set him back to today’s ranking of 876.
The 41-year-old has been battling back injuries and underwent his fourth back surgery in April in an attempt to revive his faltering career. Woods blamed back spasms for his early exit at the Dubai Desert Classic in February.
Famed pro golfer Jack Nicklaus said he was worried for Woods.
“I feel bad for Tiger. Tiger’s a friend. He’s been great for the game of golf. He needs our help. I wish him well,” Nicklaus said Tuesday at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.