Tiger Woods to ‘Seek Treatment’ Outside U.S. Amid Privacy Fears

Tiger Woods has been granted permission by a Florida judge to seek “comprehensive inpatient treatment” outside the U.S. because of privacy concerns.

Martin County Judge Darren Steele approved the request on Wednesday, April 1, according to court documents obtained by the New York Post.

The judge’s decision came after defense attorney, Douglas Duncan, asked the court to allow Woods to travel to an “out of country treatment facility” as he seeks help following a March 27 arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Citing a recommendation by the golfer’s doctor, Duncan argued the request was “based upon the Defendant’s complex clinical presentation and the urgent need for a level of care that cannot safely or effectively be done within the United States, as his privacy has been repeatedly compromised.”

Related: Arrest Report Says Tiger Woods Was ‘Impaired’ With Pills in His Pocket

Woods, 50, issued a statement on Tuesday saying he was taking time off to focus on his health and “lasting recovery.”

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” he said in a statement posted to X. “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 prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”

He added, “I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally.”

The pro golfer was taken into custody Friday on Jupiter Island, Florida after his SUV “clipped” a truck that was hauling a pressure cleaning trailer, the Martin County Sherriff’s Office said after the crash.

Authorities said Woods agreed to a breathalyzer test, which came out negative. But he declined to take a urine test.

He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Both charges are misdemeanors. The golfer pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, March 31.

The police report said responding deputies found Woods “sweating profusely,” and he appeared “lethargic and slow.” He was given a field sobriety test, but struggled to complete it because he was “limping and stumbling.”

Deputies noted they found two pills in his pants pocket that were determined to be hydrocodone, which is an opioid used to treat severe and chronic pain.

Woods has been in multiple car accidents since 2009, including a single-vehicle rollover crash in the Los Angeles area in February 2021, that left him hospitalized with severe injuries.