A Florida judge has approved prosecutors’ request to access Tiger Woods’ prescription drug records following a hearing on Tuesday. Martin County Judge Darren Steele issued the ruling amid Woods’ ongoing legal proceedings from his March arrest on charges including driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a lawful test, and distracted driving—a moving violation.
Court Proceedings and Privacy Protections
Prosecutors filed a motion last month seeking records from Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach, Florida, detailing medications dispensed to Woods. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, challenged the subpoena, citing Woods’ constitutional right to privacy and requesting a hearing to assess its relevance to the criminal investigation.
During Tuesday’s hearing, both sides agreed that the records will remain confidential, accessible only to prosecutors, law enforcement, expert witnesses, and Woods’ defense team. They will not be subject to public records requests.
Woods entered a not guilty plea to the DUI charge on March 31. He subsequently announced a break from golf and obtained court approval to travel abroad for treatment. He did not appear at the hearing.
Scope of the Subpoena
The subpoena targets prescription details from January 1 to March 27, including fill dates and times, pill quantities, instructions, dosages, refill dates, and all associated warnings. Lewis Pharmacy lies approximately 25 miles south of the Jter Island crash site where Woods was arrested on March 27 after a rollover incident.
Arrest Affidavit Details
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, deputies observed Woods sweating profusely, with bloodshot and glassy eyes. He appeared lethargic, slow-moving, limping, and stumbling during field sobriety tests. Officers discovered two hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket during a search.
Woods informed deputies that he had taken prescription medication that morning.
Prior DUI Arrest
Woods faced a similar DUI charge in 2017, attributing it to an unexpected reaction to prescription drugs. Toxicology tests revealed Vicodin, Xanax, Ambien, Dilaudid, and THC in his system. He ultimately pleaded guilty to reckless driving, with the DUI charge dismissed.
A status conference for the current case is set for June 2.
