Former world No.1 golfer Tiger Woods said alcohol was not a factor in his DUI arrest on Monday and instead blamed an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.
Woods, who is currently sidelined from competition after having his fourth back surgery in April, said in a statement he took full responsibility for his actions and apologised to his family, friends and fans.
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Tiger Woods arrested
Golfer Tiger Woods has been arrested in South Florida on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to media reports.
"I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications," he said.
"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 fans. I expect more from myself too."
Woods said he would "do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again."
Woods, who is second on the all-time list with 14 major titles, was picked up by police in Jupiter, Florida about 3am on Monday.
He was booked on a DUI charge at 7.18am local time, and released several hours later on his own recognisance, according to an online police report.
![Tiger Woods' mugshot after being arrested on a DUI charge.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170606220811im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/f/w/l/n/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwg09z.png/1496175839316.jpg)
A mugshot published by the sheriffs office showed Woods wearing a white T-shirt and looking tired and dishevelled.
The former sporting superstar, went through a very public fall from grace and marriage breakdown in late 2009 and 2010 when his extensive marital infidelities were revealed in the media.
In a recent book, Tiger Woods – Unprecedented, The Masters and Me, he wrote of his ongoing anguish about his divorce from former wife Elin Nordegren.
"My regret will last a lifetime. Still, Elin and I are devoted to our kids, and we have become best friends as we care for them. It's all about the kids for us," he wrote.
I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.
Tiger Woods
His most recent comeback attempts have been hampered by injury. Woods pulled out of several tournaments earlier this year due to back problems. He underwent a fourth round of back surgery in April, which was expected to keep him out of action for six months.
Woods enjoyed a clean public image until 2009, when he was cited with careless driving after he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home over Thanksgiving weekend. There was no indication that alcohol was a factor in the crash.
"I'm human and I'm not perfect," he said at the time.
The episode led to the surfacing of marital infidelities, for which he apologised in February 2010. He went to rehabilitation after the accident, reportedly for sex addiction.
Reuters, Fairfax Media