In March, Tiger Woods became the headline of the golfing world as he faced his second DUI charge. However, he pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of any substance, but with the police finding probable cause right in his pocket, he was arrested.

Over six months, we have heard many updates on the case, including him going out of the USA to get treatment. But now, he is ready to face the court and end this saga. But he has a different plan in mind than what was set to happen on September 8.

While Woods was set to appear in Martin County, Florida, on September 8 for his first hearing from his March DUI arrest, Golfweek has learned that those plans have changed. Now, he will appear in the courtroom on September 2nd, Wednesday, for a “change of plea” hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. before County Judge Darren Steele. The golf legend’s representatives have not responded for comment, but this decision could probably mean one thing:

A ‘change of plea’ hearing is usually done when the defendant agrees to the charges against him without any contest, allowing the court to impose the due punishment. It is not yet confirmed what plea Woods intends to enter or whether prosecutors and his legal team have reached a negotiated agreement. This comes as a sudden change from what Woods had been accepting so far.

All updates from Woods’ Wednesday court appearance

Woods appeared in Martin County circuit court, Florida, today alongside girlfriend Vanessa Trump and attorney Doug Duncan.

What did Tiger Woods agree to?

To reduce the charges of reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test, he struck a no contest plea deal.

By pleading no contest to those charges, Woods accepted the punishment, while not agreeing that he did commit what he is being charged with. He was also found guilty of careless driving, a moving violation.

What is the court’s verdict?

Judge Steele handed Woods a $1,500 fine that the golf legend agreed to pay. Moreover, his driver’s license is also suspended for five years.
Interestingly, we had already predicted what was going to happen…

Woods was ready to change his statement from March 27

Back on March 27, Martin County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Woods after he clipped his Land Rover while trying to overtake a trailer near his Florida residence on South Beach Road in Jupiter Island. Then, his SUV also flipped, but he managed to get out of the passenger side unscathed. By the time police reached the location, they had already noted a few things about Woods:

The probable ‌cause ⁠affidavit after Woods’ arrest for DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test noted that he had bloodshot, glassy eyes and his pupils were “extremely dilated.” He was also lethargic, slow, and sweating profusely. To make matters worse for him, the deputies found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket. Yet, Woods stood by his comments.

He mentioned that he does not plead guilty to DUI and was not drunk. He stated that he was changing the radio station while looking down at his phone when the incident happened. At the police station, his breath was tested and showed a 0.0 reading twice. Legally, someone is considered drunk after a reading of 0.8. However, he has more things to face other than the DUI charges.

Woods was also issued a traffic citation for driving carelessly, carrying a $163 civil penalty. That citation is also scheduled for its own change of plea hearing on Wednesday morning, meaning both matters stemming from the March 27 incident are scheduled for proceedings that morning. This hearing will also shift some dynamics.

Previously, Woods had refused to come in person for his first hearing set for September 8. But for the ‘change of plea’ hearing, his attendance is mandatory at the Martin County courthouse in Stuart.

What we know so far: A quick timeline

Back in March, Tiger Woods was trying to make a comeback to golf. On March 27, he was apparently returning from a long day at the course where he had been practicing. However, things took a turn.

• March 27, 2026: Tiger Woods was arrested for DUI and causing $5000 worth of damage to the pickup truck he collided with.
  Woods was released late the same day from the Martin County Jail on a $1,150 bond.
• March 31, 2026: Woods announced through social media that he was going to Switzerland for several weeks for his in-patient treatment and to focus on his health.
• April 1, 2026: Martin County Court Judge Darren Steele approved Woods’ request to travel out of the country for a “comprehensive inpatient treatment.” The decision was taken considering “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,” according to the motion.
• May 2o26: Judge Steele signed off on an agreement allowing the prosecutors to access all prescription medication records for Woods at a Palm Beach pharmacy from the start of this year through the end of March.
• June 23, 2026: Tiger Woods made his first public appearance since the DUI arrest as the PGA Tour’s chairman of the Future Competition Committee. In that press conference, he introduced the Tour’s plans to revamp its schedule for 2028. He did not take any questions that day.
• July 2026: Back on March 27, after his arrest, Woods was taken to the Martin County Jail, but the staff requested to take him to get medical clearance from the hospital. He was taken there, but “refused all medical treatment.” However, since he was medically discharged, there were medical papers related to his health at the time.
  Judge Steele allowed the prosecutors to review medical records related to the crash and arrest in July.

All this while, apart from his own treatment, the golf legend has been spending time with his girlfriend Vanessa Trump, as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer. Now, Woods will be facing the charges that have been on hold for long enough.