Why Tiger Woods Won’t Hire a Driver Despite DUIs, Accidents

Tiger Woods added to his history of car crashes on Friday, when he was arrested for driving under the influence. This, however, isn’t swaying Woods’ alleged stance against hiring himself a driver.

According to a new report, the golf pro still isn’t considering getting a chauffeur following his arrest...and it all comes down to his personal privacy.

Per PEOPLE sources, Woods “doesn’t want anyone to watch over him or know what he is doing and he thinks he is fine to drive.”

The source added: “He is not a social butterfly and prefers to hang around his home with his kids, or hitting balls, or playing video games. He despises public scrutiny.”

Tiger Woods’ Latest Arrest

Woods, of course, has come under newfound public scrutiny following his arrest last week. The golfer was charged with DUI with property damage, as well as refusal to submit to lawful test. Per TMZ, he reportedly turned down a urine test.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon in Jupiter Island, Florida, after authorities say a speeding Woods clipped a truck in his Range Rover, flipping his own vehicle in the process. Woods crawled out of his SUV on his own; per the Sheriff, neither driver was injured. Woods was alone in his vehicle at the time of the crash.

Deputies from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said Woods did “exhibit signs of impairment,” however, he blew a 0.00 breathalyzer. Authorities, per TMZ, said they believe he was possibly under the influence of medication, not alcohol, at the time of the crash; no drugs were found in the vehicle.

Woods was released from jail on Friday night.

Tiger Woods’ Driving History

This isn’t the first time Woods’ driving has sparked headlines.

In November 2009, he crashed his vehicle into a tree outside the Windermere, Florida home he shared with his then-wife Elin Nordegren. The incident occurred just days after the National Enquirer claimed Woods cheated on his wife with Rachel Uchitel. He later entered a 45-day treatment program, issued a number of public apologies, before he and Nordegren divorced. While the crash blew up his personal life, he was only cited for careless driving and slapped with a $164 fine.

Woods was arrested in May 2017, after he was found asleep at the wheel of his car—which was in the road—with the engine running in Jupiter, Florida. Though he was arrested on suspicion of DUI, he took a plea agreement which saw him plead guilty to reckless driving and agree to a diversion program in exchange for prosecutors dropping the DUI charge. At the time, Woods said he had an “unexpected reaction” to prescription medication.

Then, in February 2021, he was involved in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Firefighters reportedly had to use the “jaws of life” to get him out of his SUV, which sustained major damage. He was rushed into surgery for his lower right leg and ankle. Authorities called the incident “purely an accident,” with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva saying alcohol wasn’t a factor.