Tiger Woods says 'medication not alcohol' was reason for arrest while driving

Tiger Woods has denied that alcohol was the reason for his arrest while driving in Florida.

After a mugshot taken by police of the golf megastar looking dishevelled went around the world, he blamed "an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication" for the incident early on Monday (29 May) when he was charged with driving under the influence (DUI).

"I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications," he said.

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

"I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions," he said, according to the Associated Press.

Police in Palm Beach County said the 41-year-old golfer was pulled over at about 3am local time and that he was later charged and then released, "on his own recognisance", which means a pledge to co-operate with future legal proceedings.

Once the darling of golf who transcended the sport, he has had a troubled last few years including four major back injuries in the last three years. He recently described how surgery had relieved terrible pain and that he hadn't "felt this good in years".

The 14-time major winner has not won a competition since 2013, with his last major success dating back to 2008. He is now ranked 876th in the world.