Tiger Woods’ medical records will be allowed to be reviewed by prosecutors in his DUI case, a judge has ruled.
Last month, the State Attorney’s office in Martin County, Florida, filed a notice of its intent to subpoena Woods’ medical history from the Cleveland Clinic Martin South, specifically seeking “any and all reports documenting statements of the patient regarding alcohol or chemical substances use” and “any and all drug screen results.” Judge Darren Steele approved an agreement between prosecutors and Woods’ team regarding that request.
Along with the ruling, the judge approved an order restricting access to the records. Under the move, the material may be reviewed only by prosecutors, designated law enforcement officials, prosecution experts and Woods’ defense team. The records will remain confidential and may not be disclosed beyond those parties.
Earlier in the case, the judge granted the prosecution’s request to search Woods’ prescription history at a local pharmacy. Woods team had argued it violates his privacy, but the judge ruled that the state has access to “all prescription medication on file … to include date and time prescription was filled, type of prescription, number of pills in each prescription, the dosage amount, all special instructions on how to take the medication, date of next refill, all warnings including but not limited to operating a motor vehicle while taking the prescription.”
In March, Woods was involved in a two-vehicle crash in Jupiter Island, Fla. and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence. Woods was found carrying two hydrocodone pills in his pocket after the crash, an opioid typically prescribed for severe, chronic pain. According to the affidavit, Woods told a sheriff’s deputy he had been looking at his cell phone and changing the radio station, and failed to notice the vehicle ahead of him had slowed at the time of the accident. The deputy, assessing Woods at the scene, observed a number of impairment indicators, including profuse sweating, bloodshot and glassy eyes, lethargic and slow movements and persistent hiccups throughout the encounter.
Woods denied consuming alcohol but acknowledged taking prescription medication “earlier in the morning,” telling the deputy, “I take a few.” He also disclosed a medical history that underscores the severity of his physical condition with seven back surgeries and more than 20 leg operations, factors that influenced how deputies administered field sobriety exercises.
Following the arrest, Woods announced that he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment. A judge allowed the 15-time major winner to travel to an international facility, with Woods returning from his stint last month. He made his first public appearance since the wreck at last week’s Travelers Championship during the PGA Tour’s announcement regarding changes to the tour’s future.
Woods will not be at the Open Championship later beginning in two weeks. He has not played in an official competition since the 2024 Open at Royal Troon. Woods has no timetable for return.
Article originally appeared on: GolfDigest.com
