Newly released body camera footage from the Martin County, Florida Sheriff’s Office shows Tiger Woods maintaining his sense of humor about golf even while emergency crews responded to his March 27 vehicle rollover, according to multiple reports published Thursday.
The video captures an investigator asking Woods about his tournament plans while responders collected his golf equipment from his overturned Land Rover. When asked, “Are you golfing in the Masters this year?” Woods replied, “Hoping to. It depends on you all.”
The golfer’s response prompted laughter from several people at the scene, with one person responding, “It don’t depend on me.”
Woods had expressed similar sentiments just three days prior to the accident, stating he would “keep trying” to prepare for the Masters tournament, which begins April 9. Following his first TGL match of the season, Woods had said of the major championship, “I want to play. I love the tournament.”
According to Woods’ account, the crash occurred when he was distracted by his phone and adjusting the radio in his Land Rover, causing him to strike the rear of a truck before his vehicle rolled over on Jupiter Island, Florida.
The body camera footage became public one day after a Florida judge approved Woods’ request to travel outside the United States for comprehensive inpatient treatment while he faces misdemeanor DUI charges.
Martin County Judge Darren Steele approved the travel motion filed by Woods’ legal representative, Douglas Duncan, who argued the 50-year-old golf legend required an “intensive, highly individualized and medically integrated program” away from public attention and media coverage.
Woods issued a public statement Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea in Florida court regarding the misdemeanor driving under the influence charges involving property damage.
The arrest report indicated that while a breathalyzer test detected no alcohol presence, Woods declined to submit to a urine test for other substances.
According to the arrest documentation, Woods displayed signs of impairment including “sweating profusely,” “lethargic and slow” movements, “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, “extremely dilated” pupils, and was observed “limping and stumbling to the right” during field sobriety testing.
