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Tiger Woods: Medicine not alcohol led to DUI arrest

Tiger Woods has denied that alcohol led to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The 41-year-old golfer has insisted that an "unexpected reaction" to prescription drugs was why he was arrested in Florida on Monday morning.

The 14-time major champion said in a statement that alcohol was not involved, but admitted: "I didn't realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly."

Woods added that he understood the severity of what he did and takes full responsibility for his actions.

According to jail records, the golfing legend was picked up by police in the town of Jupiter and released four hours later.

Woods had undergone a back operation for the fourth time on 20 April.

Last week, he wrote on his website that the fusion surgery had given him instant relief from pain - and said he hadn't felt so good for years.

In the update, Woods told his fans: "My surgeon and physiotherapist say the operation was successful. It's just a matter of not screwing up and letting it fuse.

"I'm walking and doing my exercises, and taking my kids to and from school. All I can do is take it day by day. There's no hurry.

"But I want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf again."

He pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic in February after just one round because of back pain and hasn't played in a tournament since.

It is not the first time he has made headlines away from the golf course.

In 2009, his private life unravelled after allegations of several affairs that eventually led to his marriage breaking up.