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Tiger Woods arrested in Florida on DUI suspicion

A.J. Perez
USA TODAY Sports

Tiger Woods was arrested in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence early Monday morning.

Tiger Woods was arrested in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to online jail records.

Woods was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on Monday at 7:18 a.m. ET after he was arrested by police in Jupiter, Fla. Woods, who owns a home on Jupiter Island, was released on his own recognizance at 10:50 a.m.

The arrest occurred about 3 a.m. during a traffic stop off Military Trail, just south of Indian Creek Parkway, according to Jupiter police spokesperson Kristin Rightler.

Rightler said she didn't know where Woods was coming from or going to in the vehicle and that the arrest report should be available Tuesday. Police didn't specify the chemical or substance that led to the DUI arrest.

No further information was available Monday afternoon from the Jupiter Police Department.

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“I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions," Woods said in a statement.

"I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.

"I would like to apologize with all my heart to my family, friends and the fans. I expect more from myself too.

"I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again.

"I fully cooperated with law enforcement, and I would like to personally thank the representatives of the Jupiter Police Department and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office for their professionalism."

Woods, 41, has struggled in recent years with a bad back.  He had fusion surgery on his back on April 19 – his fourth procedure to his back since April of 2014 – and will not play on the PGA Tour this season.

The 14-time major champion and winner of 79 PGA Tour titles has not played since he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic on Feb. 3 after an opening-round 77.  He’s only made three worldwide starts the past two years.

He wrote in a statement on his web site last week that he remains committed to playing competitive golf.

“As for returning to competitive golf, the long-term prognosis is positive. My surgeon and physiotherapist say the operation was successful. It’s just a matter of not screwing up and letting it fuse,” Woods wrote. “I’m walking and doing my exercises, and taking my kids to and from school. All I can do is take it day by day. There’s no hurry.

“But, I want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf again. Presently, I’m not looking ahead. I can’t twist for another two-and-a-half to three months. Right now, my sole focus is rehab and doing what the doctors tell me. I am concentrating on short-term goals.”

It’s not the first time Woods has made headlines for his actions off the golf course. In November 2009, he was involved in a car crash at his Florida home that led to revelations of his extra-marital affairs. He publicly apologized in February 2010 and took four months off from playing competitive golf.

Laurie K. Blandford of Treasure Coast Newspapers contributed to this report.