Tiger Woods reportedly contacted US President Donald Trump prior to his DUI arrest following a rollover accident in Florida last month.
TMZ Sports has released body cam footage showing the golf star waiting as police assessed the situation. In the footage, he can be heard on the phone claiming to speak with the President.
At that moment, he was not handcuffed and was allowed to sit inside a police vehicle before undergoing a field sobriety test.
The footage captures a police officer asking Woods to move closer to the patrol cars. Woods is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr.
Later in the video, Tiger is heard saying on the phone, “Thank you so much. All right. You got it. Bye.”
After hanging up, he informed the police officer, “Yeah, I was just talking with the President.”
A few days prior, Trump mentioned to The New York Post that he spoke with Woods after the DUI incident, noting that the athlete “lives a life of pain” due to his physical injuries but was “doing great.”
“I have” spoken with Woods, Trump said. “I think he’s doing great, he’s doing good,” he added.
Woods, aged 50, reportedly had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket when he flipped his Land Rover on Jupiter Island in Florida.
Trump also stated that Woods tested “negative for alcohol,” but was “under tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, his back and leg issues.”
“He lives a life of pain. He is in a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain… He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain,” he added.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Woods was likely under the influence of “some type of medication or drug” after he collided with a truck and subsequently overturned his vehicle just minutes from his home.
Law enforcement found two pills labeled ‘M367′ in Woods’ left pant pocket when he exited his Land Rover, according to the arrest report. These pills have been identified as hydrocodone, an opioid used for chronic pain management.
At the time of the accident, Woods’ eyes were described as “bloodshot and glassy,” with “extremely dilated” pupils immediately afterward, the report indicated.
Additionally, Woods was “sweating profusely” and “had hiccups throughout the entire investigation.” His movements were also described as “lethargic and slow,” according to the report.
Woods had consented to undergo several field sobriety tests at the accident site and acknowledged taking prescribed medication. He informed officers of his medical history, which includes “seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg.”
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