'Golf legend' Tiger Woods (USA), who was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will suspend his activities for the time being.

On March 31 (local time), Woods announced via his X (formerly Twitter) account, "I am fully aware of the seriousness of my situation" and stated, "I will be stepping away for a while to focus on receiving treatment and recovering my health." He added, "I will take ample time to return healthier and stronger, and I ask that you respect the privacy of myself, my family, and my loved ones during this period."

On March 28, while driving on a two-way road near his home on Jupiter Island, Martin County, Florida, Woods attempted to overtake a pickup truck towing a small trailer and collided with it, causing his vehicle to overturn. At the scene, he took a breathalyzer test, which returned a negative result, but he refused a urine test. As a result, he was arrested and detained according to state law, then released on bail.

Tiger Woods stands next to his overturned vehicle following a car accident on the 28th of last month on Jupiter Island, Martin County, Florida, USA. Photo by AP Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

According to a report released by the Martin County Sheriff's Office, authorities found two white opioid pills, used for pain management, at the scene of the accident. Opioids are a category of narcotic analgesics, and fentanyl, known as 'zombie drug', is also an opioid.

Woods was previously arrested in May 2017 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. At that time, he was found asleep in his car on a road near his home, and tests detected drugs, including opioids, resulting in a fine, probation, and community service. In connection with this recent accident, Woods has reportedly pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and has requested a jury trial.