31 May 2017

Woods says alcohol not involved in DUI arrest

6:42 am on 31 May 2017

Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods was asleep at the wheel of a stationary Mercedes-Benz vehicle on a Florida road and did not know where he was, according to a police report released, a day after his arrest for driving under the influence. (DUI)

This photo released by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office shows Tiger Woods following his arrest.

This photo released by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office shows Tiger Woods following his arrest. Photo: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office / AFP

Woods had "extremely slow and slurred speech" after being awoken by a Jupiter police officer, who found the car the golfer was driving stopped in the right lane of the roadway and still running, the report said.

American Woods, who is second on the all-time list with 14 major titles, was arrested in South Florida at about 3am local time near his Jupiter Island home and released hours later.

A police report said Woods was cooperative but had a hard time walking and keeping his eyes open.

"Woods had changed his story of where he was going and where he was coming from," the report said, noting at one point he indicated he was returning from a golf trip in California.

The 41-year-old golfer, who underwent surgery in April to relieve lingering back pain, on Monday blamed an unexpected reaction to legal drugs for his arrest and apologized for the incident.

Two breathalyzer tests showed Woods' blood alcohol content to be zero, according to the report.

"I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved," Woods said in a statement. "What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications," he said. "I didn't realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly."

-REUTERS