New York: Tiger Woods has checked himself into rehab for addiction to prescription painkillers, as he attempts to avoid losing custody of his two children.

Woods, 41, was arrested in the early hours of May 29, slumped at the wheel of his car with the engine running near his Florida home.

He was described by police as "very dopey", struggling to keep his eyes open and walk or speak.

He tested negative for alcohol but told police he had taken the sedative medication Xanax, in addition to later admitting at a testing facility he was also taking the powerful painkiller Vicodin.

He issued a statement apologising for his behaviour and promising to seek treatment.

The former world No. 1 had surgery on his back earlier in the year, and is struggling to recover.

In a bid to retain joint custody of his daughter Sam, nine, and eight-year-old son, Charlie, the golfer has reportedly agreed to attend a 28-day course of treatment at a centre near his Jupiter home.

"Tiger visited the hospital with his children on June 2, then went alone two days later to complete paperwork and his assessment," a source told gossip site Radar Online.

The site reported that the rehab was to avoid triggering a clause in his custody agreement with Elin Nordgren, his ex wife, which states that he could face losing the 20 per cent custody he currently has, if he is "caught up in a scandal".

The site reported he had booked out the entire male inpatient wing of the facility. Jupiter Medical Center did not respond to The Telegraph's request for comment. Woods has been in rehab before.

In 2010 he entered The Meadows treatment center in Wickburg, Arizona, to battle addictions to Vicodin and the sleeping medication Ambien.

He had previously been treated for sex addiction, spending six weeks at the Gentle Path centre in Mississippi. He was forced into treatment after his affair with a New York City nightclub hostess was exposed in late 2009 - leading to a procession of mistresses to come forward.

Woods' representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Woods was arrested on Memorial Day (May 29) in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence. He is set to make his first court appearance on July 5.

Two citation reports were released after his arrest, stating Woods was by himself in a 2015 Mercedes-Benz. He was cited for DUI and improper parking, and the records say there was no crash or damage to any property.

Woods had stated after his arrest that alcohol was not involved and he had "an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications."

Woods said he did not realize the mix of medications "had affected me so strongly." "I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions," Woods said, according to reports.

Woods was arrested at about 3 a.m. Jupiter police spokeswoman Kristin Rightler said. He was booked into a local jail and released on his own recognizance with no bond a few hours later, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office's online records.

In his statement, the golfer had apologized to family, friends and fans. "I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again." Woods has a home on Jupiter Island. (Agencies)