Veteran golfer Tiger Woods has avoided jail time after reaching a plea agreement with Florida prosecutors following a car accident in March this year.

The 50-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a test during his first court appearance in March. 

However, Mr Woods has now changed his plea to ‘no contest’ in a hearing at the Martin County circuit court on Wednesday to lesser charges of reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Subsequently, the 15-time major champion’s licence was suspended for a period of five years and also fined $1,500.

After the hearing, Martin County prosecutors said that he could could have faced up to a year in county jail if he had fought and convicted of the earlier charges.

Commenting on the case, Martin County State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl stated that an individual of Mr Woods’ status should not be driving a car.

“Of all the people in the world who should not get behind the wheel of the car, it’s the gentleman who is one of the most recognizable faces on the planet.

“Somebody will see him, whether it’s in Georgia or Nevada or New York or where have you. He’s not to drive a car,” Mr Bakkedahl said.