Tiger Woods banned from driving for five years after guilty plea

Tiger Woods pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of careless and reckless driving stemming from a rollover car crash in Florida in March.

The golf superstar will have his driver’s license suspended for five years under the terms of a plea agreement that dropped the more serious offense of driving under the influence.

Judge Darren Steele said two five-year driver’s license suspensions will run at the same time, one on a reckless driving charge and one on a careless driving citation.

“There are no exceptions. If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail,” Steele told Woods.

The 50-year-old Woods, who was also handed about $1,500 (€1, 294) in fines as part of the plea deal, has 30 days to appeal the ruling.

Woods, dressed in a dark suit and tie, arrived at the Martin County Courthouse seated in the front passenger seat of a black SUV and did not answer questions from reporters as he and girlfriend Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr, walked in and out of the building for the hearing.

State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl told reporters he was comfortable with the outcome of the case and outlined the prosecution’s challenges in proving Woods, who has a documented pharmacological tolerance after multiple back and knee surgeries, was impaired by hydrocodone.

“Both toxicologists reviewing the information and evidence provided to them were of the opinion that there was insufficient proof,” Bakkedahl said. “I don’t make the facts; I accept them as they are brought to me of his impairment.”

Bakkedahl, who defended the handling of the case amid criticism that Woods could get favourable treatment given his fame, also had a message for the golfer.

“If I can send any message to Mr. Woods, it’s simply this: of all the people in the world who should not get behind the wheel of the car, it’s the gentleman who is one of the most recognisable faces on the planet,” said Bakkedahl.

“Somebody will see him, whether it’s in Georgia or Nevada or New York or where have you. He’s not to drive a car.”

Woods, a 15-time major champion and the greatest golfer of his generation, was arrested after his Land Rover rolled over on a two-lane road near his Jupiter Island home.

Having pleaded not guilty in the days after the crash, Woods travelled abroad to seek treatment.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods posted on social media in April.

“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.”

Woods added that he was committed to taking the time needed to return in ‌a “healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and ⁠professionally,” and requested privacy.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, Woods told authorities he was looking down at his phone and did not realise the truck in front of him had slowed down.

Authorities also said in ‌the affidavit that Mr Woods had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket and that officers observed him to be lethargic, slow, “sweating profusely,” with bloodshot eyes and pupils that were “extremely dilated.”

When asked during the criminal DUI investigation if he took any prescription ⁠medication, the report said the 50-year-old golfer replied, “I take a few,” while adding he had done so earlier in the morning.