Tiger Woods fought hiccups and drowsiness after DUI arrest, new bodycam footage shows [VIDEO]

Opioid Side Effects or Crash Aftermath? Bodycam Video Reignites Questions About Tiger Woods’ Impairment

Body camera footage released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on April 2, 2026, shows Tiger Woods seated in the back of a patrol car approximately 30 to 45 minutes after his single-vehicle rollover crash in Hobe Sound, Florida. The 67.5-second clip, captured from an overhead camera inside the vehicle, depicts the 15-time major champion with his head bowed, eyes closed, and periodic head and torso movements consistent with hiccups—symptoms listed in the arrest affidavit as signs of impairment.

The video, first shared on X by journalist A.J. Perez, has drawn over 2.6 million views within hours. It offers a rare, silent glimpse of Woods in custody following his March 27 arrest on DUI, property damage, and refusal-to-submit-to-testing charges. Deputies found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket, and the opioid’s known side effects include drowsiness and hiccups. Woods has pleaded not guilty and entered inpatient treatment, but the footage has reopened debate over whether his condition stemmed from medication, the crash, or both.

Slumped Posture and Closed Eyes: What the Patrol Car Video Captures

The clip begins with Woods seated upright but with his head bowed forward, chin near his chest. A white cloth or blanket drapes over his left shoulder. He remains motionless for the first several seconds. Around the 15-second mark, he slowly raises his head and gazes forward, his eyes appearing partially open with reduced alertness and minimal blinking.

At 22.5 seconds, his head lowers again toward his chest in a slow, deliberate motion. Roughly 30 seconds in, Woods tilts his head back to rest against the seatback, closing his eyes fully. His mouth remains slightly parted, and subtle, rhythmic movements of his upper torso and neck become visible—movements that multiple observers have identified as hiccups, though the clip contains no audio to confirm.

For the remainder of the 67-second video, Woods alternates between eyes-closed reclining and brief periods of head lifting. Perspiration is visible on his forehead and face. He never interacts with officers or looks directly at the camera with full engagement. The footage aligns with the arrest report’s description of “several signs of impairment,” including drowsiness and what deputies noted as involuntary body movements.

Hydrocodone, Hiccups, and the Arrest Affidavit

The probable cause affidavit states that after Woods’ rollover crash, deputies conducted field sobriety tests and observed lethargic movements, unsteady gait, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and difficulty with coordination exercises. A breath test registered 0.000 blood-alcohol content. During a search, deputies found two white pills in Woods’ pocket, later identified by imprint as hydrocodone, a Schedule II opioid analgesic.

Woods reportedly identified the pills as “narco” when asked. Hydrocodone’s documented side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and in some cases, hiccups. The arrest report specifically noted that Woods exhibited “hiccups” and “drowsiness” during the encounter, language that matches the physical signs visible in the newly released patrol car footage.

Woods refused a urine test, resulting in an additional charge. His attorney entered a not-guilty plea on April 1, waiving arraignment and requesting a jury trial. The golfer publicly announced he would step away from golf for inpatient treatment, prioritizing his health and recovery. The Masters tournament subsequently confirmed his absence.

Crash Details and Woods’ Explanation to Deputies

The March 27 incident occurred on South Beach Road in Hobe Sound, Florida, around 5:30 p.m. Woods was driving a black Land Rover SUV northbound behind a Ford F-150 towing a trailer. According to the crash report, as the truck slowed and signaled a right turn into a driveway, Woods crossed double solid yellow lines to pass, striking the trailer’s rear. The impact caused the SUV to roll onto its side.

No injuries were reported to Woods or the other driver. Damage to the trailer was estimated at $5,000. In bodycam footage from the crash scene (not included in the Perez post but described in news reports), Woods told deputies he had been looking down at his cellphone and adjusting the radio when the vehicle ahead slowed. He acknowledged taking prescription medications earlier that morning.

Deputies noted his lethargic movements and unsteady gait during the stop. After field sobriety testing, Woods was informed of his arrest for DUI (unknown substance) and property damage. He responded with surprise, asking “I’m being arrested?” as handcuffs were applied. The patrol car footage released days later captures the aftermath of that moment.

Public Reactions: Privacy, Sympathy, and Calls for Accountability

The X post by @byajperez generated over 8,200 likes and 625 replies within hours, with responses reflecting sharp divisions. Some users criticized the release of the footage itself, arguing it invaded Woods’ privacy and served no public interest. “Why are these fools releasing this footage. Should be illegal,” one reply read. Another wrote, “The gratuitous posting of this footage is totally uncalled for.”

Others attributed Woods’ condition to the crash rather than impairment. “He just had a car wreck…give me a break,” a commenter posted. “You ever have a massive adrenaline rush? Both of those symptoms can be from that.” A third suggested concussion or shock, writing, “How about being dazed from hitting his head, he could have a concussion, stop it folks!”

Sympathetic responses highlighted Woods’ history of injuries and surgeries. “Guy’s been through the wringer, honestly,” one user wrote. Another said, “It’s honestly sad to see, considering what Tiger Woods once was.” A commenter added, “The thing we are missing here is that he is a human being… I hope that he gets the help he needs.”

A contrasting set of replies stressed accountability, referencing Woods’ 2017 DUI arrest in the same jurisdiction, where he was found with multiple impairing substances and pleaded to reckless driving. “No mercy should be given,” one user wrote. Another noted, “People in the comments giving him the benefit of the doubt, as if it’s not his 4th time under these circumstances lol.” Several directly tied the video to the hydrocodone pills: “Hiccups and drowsiness are both side effects of hydrocodone, which deputies found on his person.” A smaller number expressed indifference or unrelated commentary.

Legal and Medical Context: What the Symptoms Suggest

The visible signs in the patrol car footage—drowsiness, head lagging, closed eyes, and rhythmic upper-body movements—are consistent with central nervous system depression, a known effect of opioid use. Hydrocodone acts on mu-opioid receptors in the brain, producing analgesia but also sedation, respiratory depression, and, in some patients, hiccups. The latter is a documented but less common side effect, believed to result from opioid-induced gastrointestinal or diaphragmatic irritation.

Woods’ refusal of a urine test means toxicology results are not available in the public record. The prosecution’s case will likely rely on the deputy’s observations, field sobriety test performance, the presence of hydrocodone pills, and video evidence of his behavior both at the scene and in the patrol car. Woods’ defense could argue that his symptoms stemmed from post-crash shock, adrenaline crash, or a concussion—none of which would constitute DUI under Florida law.

Woods has a history of driving incidents. In 2009, he crashed his SUV outside his Florida home following an argument with his then-wife, later admitting to taking the prescription sedative Ambien. Eight years later, in 2017, he was arrested in Jupiter, Florida, for DUI after being found asleep in his car with the engine running; he attributed his condition to an unexpected reaction to prescribed pain medication. In 2021, he suffered severe leg injuries in a single-vehicle rollover crash in California; toxicology was not performed. This March 2026 arrest marks his fourth publicized driving incident.

Conclusion: A Golf Icon’s Latest Legal and Health Battle

The newly released bodycam footage of Tiger Woods fighting hiccups and drowsiness in a patrol car adds visual evidence to an arrest report that already detailed signs of impairment. Whether those symptoms resulted from prescribed hydrocodone, the physical trauma of the crash, or a combination of factors remains a central question for the pending DUI case.

Woods has entered inpatient treatment and stepped away from golf, signaling a recognition of deeper issues. The PGA Tour and Masters organizers have expressed support for his recovery. But the video’s public release—and the polarized reactions it provoked—ensures that Woods’ legal troubles will continue to play out in the court of public opinion long before any jury delivers a verdict. For a golfer who has spent decades overcoming physical and personal setbacks, this latest chapter represents a familiar but no less precarious fight.