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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Golf champion Tiger Woods was hospitalized in Los Angeles on Tuesday with multiple injuries sustained when his car ran off a road and rolled down a steep hill, requiring rescue teams to pull him out of the woods. debris, authorities said.
Woods’ injuries were not believed to be life threatening, ESPN reported, citing law enforcement sources, despite video footage from the crash scene showing his dark gray Genesis sport utility vehicle crumpled and lying on its side near the bottom of the car. Slope, with broken windows.
There was no immediate official information on the extent or nature of Woods’ injuries, but CNN reported that he suffered compound fractures to both legs.
Woods, 45, a 15-time Grand Slam champion and one of the sports world’s most celebrated 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement.
“Tiger Woods was in a car accident this morning in California, where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank him for his privacy and support,” said Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, in a statement to Daniel Rapaport. , journalist for Golf Digest.
Deputy Sheriff Joana Warren told Reuters the vehicle veered off the road and rolled down the hillside before stopping near the bottom.
The sheriff’s department initially said that a rescue tool known as “the jaws of life” was used to lift Woods from the rubble. But Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Christopher Thomas later told Reuters that emergency personnel actually pulled Woods out of the vehicle through the front windshield after the glass frame was cut and removed.
Woods’ success on the greens transformed him into a global superstar, ushering in an era of multi-million dollar endorsements and lucrative money for appearance and spreading the sport to an audience far beyond his traditional image of man, white and class. half.
He also served as a major influence on the modern generation of golfers, such as Australian world number one Jason Day, who said he read a book on Woods and decided to copy the American’s high work ethic.
Woods, whose career has been hampered in recent years by back injuries and underwent 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, former basketball star Dwayne Wade and comedian David Spade.
‘PRAYING FOR TW’
The news that Woods, the greatest golfer of his generation, had been injured in a serious car accident shocked the sports world.
“Praying for my brother @TigerWoods as we all eagerly await more news,” former baseball star Alex Rodriguez said 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 skier 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 to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll, Steve Gorman, and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Berkrot)
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