Tiger Woods: 'Medicine not alcohol was to blame for Florida arrest'

Tiger Woods was arrested by police in the early hours of Monday morning.
REUTERS

Golf star Tiger Woods has claimed it was medicine and not alcohol which led to his arrest for driving under the influence in Florida at the weekend.

The sportsman, who is recovering from back surgery, said alcohol was not involved and blamed an “unexpected reaction” to prescription medicine.

The 14-time major golf champion apologised to his fans on Tuesday and said he took "full responsibility" for the incident, which happened in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mr Woods, 41, spent nearly four hours in Palm Beach County Jail after being arrested in Jupiter, a short drive from his beach-front home in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement, Woods said: "I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions.

Tiger Woods at a book signing in New York in March of this year.
AP

"I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.

"I didn't realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.

"I would like to apologise with all my heart to my family, friends and the fans. I expect more from myself too.

"I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again."

An arrest report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Woods was arrested for a DUI but did not specify whether it was drugs or alcohol that was suspected of being involved.

A mugshot of the golf star shows him unshaven and wearing a white T-shirt.

He was released from the jail without having to pay bail at 10.50am on Monday.

Woods previously became embroiled in scandal when his extramarital affairs were revealed after he crashed his SUV into a tree in 2009.

He has not played competitively since pulling out of the Dubai Desert Classic with back spasms at the start of February.

Woods has said “unequivocally” that he wants to play professional golf again despite undergoing fusion surgery more than a month ago.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

In Pictures | Tiger Woods

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