Tiger Woods was found asleep at wheel on roadside by police

Tiger Woods was asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes with the engine running, according to the police report into his arrest for driving while under the influence in the early hours of Monday morning in Florida. It also states that he was disorientated, struggled to speak and could not walk in a straight line.

In the report, which makes clear no alcohol was found in the golfer’s system, Woods is described by police as “co-operative” but “confused”. The officer in charge of his detention also claims the father of two was “unable to walk alone” and found it “hard to keep eyes open”.

Woods, a 14-time major champion who is recovering from a fourth back operation, was taken into custody in his home town of Jupiter at 3am on Monday. He was released shortly before 11am, with the case now due to be heard by a Florida judge on 5 July.

A police photograph of a bloated and apparently distant Woods emerged but the 41-year-old was adamant medication rather than alcohol had played a part in his arrest. Police documentation backs that up, with Woods’s breathalyser result reported at zero and no alcohol odour having been detected.

More striking is the description of what officers encountered when approaching Woods’s vehicle. The golfer “had his seat belt on and was seated in the driver’s seat”. The report adds: “It should be noted that Woods was asleep at the wheel and had to be woken up. The vehicle was running and brake lights were illuminated as well as the right blinker flashing.”

The police officer involved, Matthew Palladino, reported: “Woods had extremely slow and slurred speech. Woods stated that he was coming from LA, California, from golfing. Woods stated that he did not know where he was. Woods had changed his story of where he was going and where he was coming from. Woods asked how far from his house he was.”

When Woods was asked to walk and turn as part of a standard test to analyse his sobriety, the report adds: “Could not maintain starting position. Missed heel to toe each time. Stepped off line several times. Used arms for balance. Did not return.

“[A police officer] explained instructions and [Woods] again did not maintain starting position, stepped off line, used arms for balance, also stopped walking to steady self.”

Woods’s next task was to stand on one leg. “Did not maintain starting position,” says the police file. “Did not raise leg off the ground six inches. Placed foot down several times.”

The police officer revealed he was forced to “re-explain the instruction several times” when Woods was subsequently asked to touch his nose with a finger. He did recite the American national anthem backwards, as labelled the Romberg test, but only after “several times of explaining instructions” by the police.

A further police bulletin on Tuesday, from another officer who attended the scene, illustrated what was described as “fresh damage” to Woods’s vehicle. Both tyres on the driver’s side of the Mercedes were flat, rims on the same wheels were damaged, there was scarring to front and back bumpers and one tail light was out.

Police records show Woods confirmed the taking of four prescription drugs; Solarex, Vicodin, Torix and Vioxx. The last of them, it is said, he has not previously taken this year.

Woods, who has seen his professional life damaged by loss of fitness and form, issued a statement in which he promised to “take full responsibility for my actions.” “I didn’t realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly,” Woods said.

“I would like to apologise with all my heart to my family, friends and the fans. I expect more from myself too.”

The PGA Tour has declined to comment on Woods’s scenario. “It’s embarrassing for Tiger,” said Notah Begay III, one of Woods’s closest friends. “It’s something that you can’t go back and change.”

Meanwhile, 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus has voiced his concern for Woods, insisting the 41-year-old “needs help”.

“I feel bad for Tiger,” Nicklaus told reporters at a news conference for The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. “Tiger’s a friend. He’s been great for the game of golf. He needs our help. I wish him well.”