Tiger found unconscious before police got to scene of car crash

TIGER WOODS was found unconscious at the wheel following his horrific car crash in Los Angeles, fresh court evidence has revealed.

Police officers had only previously disclosed that Woods was able to speak and answer questions when they reached his mangled SUV.

However, in presenting legal documents, the Los Angeles Police Department revealed that a man who lived nearby and heard the crash was actually the first on the scene.

The man told officers that Woods did not respond to his questions. By the time the police arrived, Woods had clearly regained consciousness although he did not know how the collision occurred nor that he had been driving.

The information was released in an affidavit requesting — successfully — that a search warrant be approved for the SUV’s data recorder, or black box. ‘I believe the data will explain how/ why the collision occurred,’ wrote deputy sheriff Johann Schloegl in the court document.

The police are refusing to say at this stage what was discovered on the black box, but much of the speculation seems to suggest Woods might have been asleep at the wheel when the crash happened on a downhill stretch notorious for car accidents. There were no skid marks as his SUV veered across the road on to the other side and down an embankment.

Woods had been on his way to complete a two-day corporate event following the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, a PGA tour event he hosts.

On the first day, eye witnesses report he looked exhausted. At the time, he was undergoing rehab for a fifth back operation and hoped to be back for the Masters next month. But sources have told Sportsmail that he was struggling with his back to such an extent that he had to lean on his manager Mark Steinberg to climb a flight of stairs.

The 45-year-old is still in hospital in Los Angeles in the first stages of his recovery from the devastating injuries to his right leg that have left his career in the balance.

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood holds a one-shot lead going into tonight’s final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

The veteran Englishman posted a stunning round of 65 to lead the way on 11 under par. Big-hitting American Bryson DeChambeau and Canadian Corey Conners sit one stroke behind Westwood.

Jordan Spieth produced an incredible hole in one at the second to propel himself into contention. The American is nine under along with countryman Keegan Bradley, who carded a 64.

Scotland’s Martin Laird was in the final pairing at halfway but is now sitting on four under after a disappointing third-round 76.