After Tiger Woods had his driving license suspended for five-years after agreeing not to contest his reckless driving charge stemming from his DUI arrest back in March, the world is wondering… can the all-time-great golfer still drive a golf cart?
That might seem like a silly question, but it’s one that’s actually being explored. And it’s all because of the crash that took place earlier this year near his home in Jupiter, Florida. The golfer was traveling at a high rate of speed on a two-lane road in his Land Rover and attempted to pass a truck that was pulling a trailer. Tiger reportedly sideswiped the trailer, which caused his vehicle to roll over onto the driver’s side.
Reports from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office stated that there were no immediate, life-threatening injuries and that one individual was reportedly in stable condition, while the other refused ambulance services. But shortly after news of the crash began spreading, the sheriff’s office announced that Tiger had been arrested for DUI. Woods was charged with DUI causing property damage and refusal to submit to a urine test following a lawful DUI arrest.
As previously stated, the 50-year-old professional golfer recently agreed not to contest his charges in a plea deal, and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and will now have his driver’s license suspended for five years. Following Woods’ appearance in court, Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney, Thomas Bakkedahl, took questions from the media.
A reporter asked if Tiger Woods would still be allowed to drive a golf cart, even though he’s had his driving privileges taken away for the next five years, and Bakkedahl was strangely excited to answer the question:
“Oh my gosh, that’s a great question. Actually… can he drive a golf cart? You know what, you got me. We’ll have to look into that, and I’ll get back to you. I know you cannot drive a golf cart while impaired on the roads, because it is a vehicle. My gut reaction is going to be no. But great question.”
It seems pretty clear to me that Bakkedahl took the question as “Would Woods be able to find a loophole in the driving suspension by driving a golf cart on roadways?” Because telling the pro golfer that he can’t drive a golf cart around on a golf course would be rather excessive.
But that video right there got social media talking, and many said it would be absurd for the state of Florida to tell Tiger Woods he can’t drive a golf cart. Even Florida governor Ron DeSantis weighed in on the matter, saying:
“Tiger should be able to drive a golf cart on the golf course.”
And it looks like that will be the official ruling on Tiger’s golf cart privileges. Golf Digest spoke with someone from the Martin County State Attorney Office, and here’s what they heard back:
“The Martin County State Attorney Office also said Wednesday that Woods is still able to operate a golf cart on the course despite it not being a specified agreement of the plea.”
Something tells me Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney is going to be a strangely bummed out by that conclusion.
