WASHINGTON • Golf superstar Tiger Woods was arrested yesterday in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to records from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The 14-time Major champion was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on Monday at 7.18am (7.18pm Singapore time) after he was arrested by police in Jupiter, Florida. He was released on his own recognizance at 10.50am.

Ironically, Woods, who underwent his fourth back surgery last month, had just last week sounded more positive than he had in recent times, saying that he felt better than he had in years.

The 41-year-old American, who last month ruled himself out of the Masters for the third time in four years, said "it is hard to express how much better I feel" after experiencing "instant nerve relief", adding that "I haven't felt this good in years".

He stressed that he would not be hurrying back to the Tour after a period of recovery that will stop him from swinging a club for several months.

"Right now, my sole focus is rehab and doing what the doctors tell me. I am concentrating on short-term goals," he had said.

Woods' season ended almost before it started in February, after he withdrew following a first-round 77 at an event in Dubai. That came one week after he missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open.

He had spinal fusion surgery on April 20 - his fourth surgery in three years to treat his troublesome back which has limited him to three tournament starts worldwide in the past two years.

This is not the first time Woods has made headlines away from the golf course. His private life unravelled in late 2009 over allegations about affairs with several women and ultimately led to the end of his marriage.

Those allegations followed a bizarre early-morning car accident outside his Florida home that rapidly ballooned into a sex scandal which turned his previously unblemished life and career upside down.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN