Tiger Woods in hospital after “major” car accident, undergoes surgery for multiple leg injuries Golf News

LOS ANGELES: Golf Champion Tiger Forest was hospitalized in the Angels on Tuesday with serious leg injuries when his car veered off a road and rolled down a steep hillside, forcing rescue teams to pull him out of the rubble, authorities said.
The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference hours later, adding that Woods was conscious and “able to communicate” when rescue personnel arrived.
The sheriff said there was no evidence of impairment when emergency workers evaluated Woods at the scene, and that investigators did not take blood samples after he was taken by ambulance to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Gonzales, who was the first to arrive at the accident, described Woods, who was wearing his seatbelt, as “calm and lucid,” and said he recognized the great golfer after Woods told the officer that his name was “Tiger”.
The full nature and extent of Woods’ injuries remained unknown, and it was not immediately clear what effect the accident might have on the future of his career.
Woods, 45, who has suffered a series of back and knee injuries in recent years, is considered the best golfer of his generation. He is the only modern professional to win the top four golf titles in a row, with the US Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship in 2000 and the Teachers title in 2001, a feat that became known as the Tiger Slam.
Woods suffered serious injuries to both legs in Tuesday’s crash and was initially in serious but stable condition, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby told reporters. CNN reported that Woods suffered compound fractures to his legs.

SURGERY AND ‘MULTIPLE LEG INJURIES’
In a statement previously given to Golf Digest, Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg said the winner of 15 major championships was undergoing surgery for “multiple leg injuries.”
The cause of the accident was under investigation, but the sheriff said there was no indication that the driver was under the influence of any substances or that the weather was a factor.
Video footage from the scene showed Woods’ dark gray 2021 Genesis sports utility vehicle very wrinkled and lying on its side near the bottom of the slope, with broken windows.
Woods, one of the world’s most famous sports figures, was the sole occupant of the car when it crashed around 7:12 a.m. near the suburban communities of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, the sheriff’s department said.

Woods’ vehicle veered onto the curb, hit a tree and “there were several rollovers” before the truck came to a stop, Villanueva said. The sheriff said the stretch of highway, known for its steep terrain and curves, “has a high frequency of accidents.”
The sheriff also said that the distance the vehicle traveled before leaving the road, leaving no visible skid marks, indicated that the car was “traveling relatively faster than normal.”
The sheriff’s department initially said a hydraulic tool known as “the jaws of life” was used to lift Woods out of the rubble. Fire department officials later said that emergency personnel removed Woods from the vehicle through the front windshield after the glass and surrounding frame were removed.
TRANSFORMATIONAL TALENT
Woods’ success on the greens elevated him to global stardom, ushering in an era of multi-million dollar endorsements and lucrative appearances. As the first African-American to achieve great stardom in golf, Woods’ success also helped transform the sport itself, broadening its appeal far beyond the traditional dominance of golf by white, male, and middle-class enthusiasts.
He was also a huge influence on a modern generation of golfers that included professionals like former Australian World No. 1 Jason Day, who said he read a book about Woods and decided to copy the American’s rigorous work ethic.

Woods, whose career has been hampered in recent years by back injuries and who had his fifth back surgery in December, hosted the annual PGA Tour Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club over the weekend, but did not competed.
He was seen at the Rolling Hills Country Club on Monday with actress Jada Pinkett Smith, retired basketball star Dwyane Wade and comedian David Spade.
‘PRAYING FOR TW’
News of Woods’ accident sent shockwaves through the sports world.
“Praying for my brother @TigerWoods as we all look forward to more news,” said retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez on Twitter. “Thinking of him and his whole family.”
“My stomach hurts,” said fellow PGA Tour golfer Justin Thomas during a press conference in which he called Woods as one of his closest friends. “I just hope it’s okay.”
Woods’ ex-girlfriend, Olympic ski gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, simply tweeted: “Praying for TW”

The PGA Tour released a statement from Commissioner Jay Monahan. “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.”
Former United States President Donald Trump, who has played golf with Woods on several occasions and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, issued a statement urging Woods to make a quick recovery, adding: “You are! a true champion! ”
California-born Eldrick “Tiger” Woods turned pro in 1996 and won his first US Tour title in just his fifth start. Since then, it has practically redefined the game.

Woods held first place in the world professional golf rankings for a record total of 683 weeks, winning 14 major championship titles between 1997 and 2008.
After a series of injuries and personal problems derailed his career at times, Woods claimed his 15th major title at the Masters in 2019, the fifth time he has won the coveted green jacket given to Masters champions.
His top 15 titles rank second only to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.