Tiger Woods has been granted court permission to leave the US for treatment following his recent car crash and DUI charge.
Tiger Woods has been granted court permission to leave the US for treatment following his recent car crash.
The 50-year-old golfer was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after rolling his Land Rover when he clipped a truck in Florida last Friday (27.03.26) and after declaring earlier this week that he planned to seek help, a judge in Florida has agreed to him leaving the country, in part due to privacy concerns.
According to court documents obtained by People magazine, Tiger’s treating physician recommended he sought treatment at a facility out of the country “based upon the Defendant’s complex clinical presentation the urgent need for a level of care that cannot safely or effectively be done within the United States.”
It was also suggested relocating out of the US would be beneficial because the sportsman’s “privacy has been repeatedly compromised,”
His lawyer, Douglas Duncan, argued: “Ongoing medical scrutiny and public exposure create significant barriers to his care and would result in setbacks and an inability to fully engage in treatment.
“Based upon Defendant’s treating physician’s opinions, inpatient treatment at the out of country treatment facility is medically necessary due to the Defendant’s complexity, and need for an intensive highly individualised and medically integrated programme.”
According to the lawyer, the desired treatment facility will “provide continuous monitoring and the ability to rapidly adjust treatment interventions in a highly controlled environment”.
Tiger – who has turned down the captaincy of next year’s US Ryder Cup team in the wake of the incident – will now face no restrictions on travel during his legal proceedings, which have seen him plead not guilty to both DUI and a refusal to submit to a urine test.
The legal decision came after Tiger pledged to “step away” from the spotlight to seek help.
He posted on social media platform X: “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today.
“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 prioritise my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
He added: “I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally.
“I appreciate your understanding and support and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
A police report previously provided detail on his behaviour in the aftermath of the crash.
It revealed that the golfer had two hydrocodone pills – used to treat severe pain – in his pocket and was acting “lethargic and slow” while “sweating profusely” with “extremely dilated” pupils.
Tiger Woods granted permission to seek permission outside of US
