Tiger Woods loses driving licence for five years in DUI plea deal as judge issues stern warning

Tiger Woods has lost his driving licence for five years after reaching a last-minute plea deal in his Florida DUI case.

The 15-time major champion, 50, appeared before a judge at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart on Wednesday morning.

Woods' defence team and prosecutors reached an agreement that saw the original charges reduced to reckless driving and careless driving.

The judge imposed a $1,000 fine for reckless driving and a further $500 fine for careless driving, with both convictions carrying five-year driving bans, which will run concurrently.

The judge issued Woods a stern warning over the consequences of getting behind the wheel during that period.

"If you drive for any reason at all, you will be going back to jail," the judge told him.

Woods was accompanied to court by his attorney, Douglas Duncan, and his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump.

During the brief hearing, Woods was seen looking towards Trump several times.

The agreement brings an end to the criminal case stemming from Woods' rollover crash near his Jupiter Island home on 27 March.

Tiger Woods initially pleaded not guilty

Woods was arrested after his vehicle rolled during the crash in Florida.

He initially pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

He was also issued a citation for reckless driving.

According to reports from the scene, Woods failed field sobriety tests and admitted to taking a number of prescription medications earlier that day.

Responding officers also found two loose pills during a search of Woods, which were later identified as hydrocodone.

Hydrocodone is an opioid medication commonly used to manage pain.

Woods was arrested at the scene and taken to Martin County Jail.

The golf superstar later released a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and announcing that he would seek treatment.

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods wrote on social media.

"I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.

"This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my well-being and work toward lasting recovery."

Tiger Woods spent nearly three months in rehab

Woods subsequently entered a treatment programme in Switzerland, where he spent almost three months.

His time away was briefly interrupted when he returned to the United States to be with Trump as she dealt with her breast cancer diagnosis.

Woods later returned to treatment before making his first public appearance since the crash at the Travelers Championship in June.

He did not answer questions about the incident or the criminal case during that appearance.

Wednesday's hearing had originally been expected to be another stage in the legal process after Woods had previously entered not guilty pleas.

However, court proceedings took a different direction after Woods and prosecutors reached a plea agreement.

The reduced charges mean Woods has avoided a conviction on the original DUI allegations.

However, the consequences remain significant.

In addition to the combined $1,500 in fines, Woods will be unable to legally drive for the next five years.

The driving bans on the reckless driving and careless driving charges will run concurrently rather than consecutively.

The judge made clear that Woods faces serious consequences if he ignores the terms of the order.

Woods will now serve his five-year driving ban while continuing to move forward following one of the most difficult periods of his life away from golf.

The plea deal brings a conclusion to a case that has followed the 82-time PGA Tour winner for more than five months and marks the latest development in an extraordinary and turbulent year for one of the game's most recognisable figures.