Tiger Woods pleads not guilty to DUI through his lawyer as he skips court appearance two months after being found asleep at the wheel

  • Woods, 41, did not show up to the hearing in Palm Beach County on Wednesday
  • His attorney Douglas Duncan entered a not guilty quote on his behalf
  • It was part of a deal with prosecutors under which Woods must attend a diversion program 
  • He was found asleep at the wheel of his parked Mercedes in May this year
  • The golfer had not been drinking but had taken a mixture of prescription pills
  • He has since completed an 'intensive' rehab program to treat how he uses pain medication  

By Jennifer Smith For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:04 EST, 9 August 2017 | Updated: 13:12 EST, 9 August 2017

Tiger Woods has pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge, two months after being found asleep at the wheel of his car in Jupiter, Florida. 

The golfer skipped court on Wednesday morning, instead entering his plea through his lawyer Douglas Duncan. 

It was part of a plea deal with prosecutors which requires Woods, 41, to enter a diversion program in October.

Woods was arrested on May 29 at 2am after being found asleep at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz. 

After stepping out of the car, he failed a string of field sobriety tests and could barely speak despite the fact he had no alcohol in his system at the time. 

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Tiger Woods' attorney Douglas Duncan entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at a courthouse in Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday (left). The golfer was found asleep at the wheel of his parked Mercedes in May (right, after his arrest)
Tiger Woods' attorney Douglas Duncan entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at a courthouse in Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday (left). The golfer was found asleep at the wheel of his parked Mercedes in May (right, after his arrest)

Tiger Woods' attorney Douglas Duncan entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at a courthouse in Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday (left). The golfer was found asleep at the wheel of his parked Mercedes in May (right, after his arrest) 

He later admitted to taking prescription painkillers and has since completed a rehabilitation program to help him address how he uses pain medication. 

In July, he tweeted the following statement: 'I recently completed an out of state private intensive program. 

'I will continue to tackle this going forward with my doctors, family and friends. I am so very thankful for all of the support I’ve received.' 

The golfer's lawyer previously told media outlets he would not be attending Wednesday's hearing.

Woods' car was parked awkwardly at the side of the road when officers approached him in May.  

Woods, 41, struggled to speak and stand up after being found at the wheel of the parked car at 2am on May 29. He had no alcohol in his system but later admitted taking prescription pills 

Woods, 41, struggled to speak and stand up after being found at the wheel of the parked car at 2am on May 29. He had no alcohol in his system but later admitted taking prescription pills 

There was damage to the passenger side door of the vehicle which has never been explained. 

When they brought him out of the vehicle, he did not know where he was and could not perform basic field sobriety tests. 

Once in custody and waiting to be processed, the star was filmed almost falling off his seat. 

Days later, he apologized for his arrest and reiterated the fact he had not been drinking before getting behind the wheel.  

The golfer had already reached a plea agreement with prosecutors before his attorney attended Wednesday's hearing 

The golfer had already reached a plea agreement with prosecutors before his attorney attended Wednesday's hearing 

Duncan previously warned that the golfer would not attend Wednesday's appearance. He gave no comment as he left the courthouse
Duncan previously warned that the golfer would not attend Wednesday's appearance. He gave no comment as he left the courthouse

Duncan previously warned that the golfer would not attend Wednesday's appearance. He gave no comment as he left the courthouse 

'I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions.

'I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. 

Woods will enroll in a diversion program, which is similar to rehab, in October 

Woods will enroll in a diversion program, which is similar to rehab, in October 

'What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications.

'I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly,' he said. 

The star, who has two children with his ex-wife Ellen Nordegren, apologized to his 'family' and said: 'I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again.' 

There were subsequent reports that his arrest put his custody agreement with Nordegren in jeopardy.

The pair divorced in 2010 after Woods's extramarital affairs emerged.  

 

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