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For AFP 
49m ago
by Andrew Marszal
Los Angeles – Tiger Woods sustained serious injuries to both legs when his car went off the road and flipped several times Tuesday near Los Angeles in a crash he was “very lucky” to survive, said law enforcement authorities who found the American golf legend.
Woods did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the early morning incident, and underwent surgery after the rollover, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.
No other vehicle or passenger was involved in the accident that occurred on a steep stretch of highway known as a “hot spot” of the accident, where Woods was traveling at “a speed greater than normal,” the sheriff said.
“I will say that it is very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive,” said Congressman Carlos González, the first officer to arrive at the scene.
González found Woods trapped in his vehicle but conscious, looking “calm and lucid” and able to identify himself to the officer as “Tigre.”
“I understand he had serious injuries to both legs,” Los Angeles County Fire Marshal Daryl Osby said, describing Woods’ condition as “stable.”
Firefighters and paramedics pulled Woods out of the rubble of his truck and transported him with a neck brace and dashboard to a local roadside hospital, where he underwent surgery.
“There was no evidence of deterioration at this time,” including the influence of narcotics, drugs or alcohol, Villanueva said, adding that the accident remains “under investigation.”
He added that no blood was drawn at the scene of the accident because the sheriff’s office does not have that capacity.
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Woods, one of the most successful golfers of all time, has won 15 major golf championships.
He recently underwent his fifth back surgery and said he was unsure if he will be able to play in the next Masters, which he last won in 2019.
Woods, 45, was in the area for his annual Genesis Invitational golf tournament at the Riviera Country Club and was driving a courtesy car the morning of the accident.
“We are awaiting more information when he comes out of surgery. On behalf of the PGA Tour and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement.
The accident occurred near the mountainous Palos Verdes peninsula, at the foot of a steep stretch of road that has runaway truck ramps for vehicles that lose control going downhill.
The section has become famous for fatal accidents over the years.
“Apparently the first contact was with the central median, and from there (the car) crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, hit the sidewalk, hit a tree, and there were several overturns during that process,” said Villanueva, who did not did. provide a cause of the accident.
PGA TOUR statement on Tiger Woods.
Woods was involved in a car accident this morning in California and suffered multiple leg injuries. pic.twitter.com/iEx6QUiKcN
– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 23, 2021
The car ended up several hundred feet from the initial impact, lying on its side on a patch of grass some distance from the road, with the hood badly damaged.
News of the accident quickly spread throughout the sporting world and beyond, with figures in and outside of golf rushing to send their prayers and best wishes to Woods.
Skier Lindsey Vonn, Woods’ ex-girlfriend, tweeted: “Praying for TW right now.”
“Sending my prayers to @TigerWoods and his family tonight, for a speedy recovery for the golf GOAT,” said former US President Barack Obama.
“If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that we never discount Tiger.”
His fellow former President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox, urged Woods to “get better and get out because we all miss him.”
Woods was one of the most revered athletes in the world when he was embroiled in a scandal in late 2009.
He crashed his car into a tree and a fire hydrant outside his luxurious Florida home, sparking a series of scandalous revelations that doomed his marriage and put his game into free fall.
Golf star Tiger Woods suffers leg injuries in vehicle rollover in Los Angeles area and undergoes surgery, says manager pic.twitter.com/Qi5IjrPutR
– TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) February 23, 2021
He later divorced his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren, with whom he has two children, after a cascade of women came forward to say they were having affairs with the golfer, making him the food of tabloids around the world. .
Woods underwent four back surgeries between 2014 and 2017.
In May 2017, Woods was arrested near his home in Florida for being asleep at the wheel of his car in a lane of traffic.
Woods said he had taken prescription drugs and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
But he made an astonishing return to win the Masters in 2019, his first major title since 2008.
He is the winner of 82 US PGA titles, on the same level as Sam Snead for the all-time record.
In 2000-2001, when he was just 25 years old, Woods became the first man to hold the US Open, British Open, USPGA, and Masters titles at the same time.
Woods remains three major victories short of Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record of 18.
“Barbara and I have just learned of Tiger’s accident and, like everyone else, we are deeply concerned,” Nicklaus tweeted.
“We want to offer our sincere support and prayers during this difficult time. Please join us in wishing Tiger a successful surgery and all the best for a full recovery.
AFP
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