Authorities find cause of Tiger’s crash but hold details
The Los Angeles County sheriff says detectives have determined what caused Tiger Woods to crash his SUV last month in Southern California but would not release details Wednesday, citing unspecified privacy concerns for the golf star.
Woods suffered serious injuries in the Feb. 23 crash when he struck a raised median around 7 a.m. in Rolling Hills Estates, just outside Los Angeles. The Genesis SUV he was driving crossed through two oncoming lanes and uprooted a tree on a downhill stretch that police said is known for wrecks. Woods is in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been criticized for his comments about the crash, calling it “purely an accident” and saying there was no evidence of impairment. Woods told deputies he did not know how the crash occurred and didn’t remember driving.
Investigators did not seek a search warrant for Woods’ blood samples, which could be screened for drugs and alcohol. In 2017, Woods checked himself into a clinic for help in dealing with prescription drug medication after a DUI charge in his home state of Florida.
Detectives, however, did obtain a search warrant for the data recorder of the 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV, known as a black box. Villanueva would not say Wednesday what data had been found in the black box.
“A cause has been determined, the investigation has concluded,” Villanueva said during a live social media event Wednesday in response to a question posed by The Associated Press.
But Villanueva claimed investigators need permission from Woods to release information about the crash.
“We have all the contents of the black box, we’ve got everything,” Villanueva said. “It’s completed, signed, sealed and delivered. However, we can’t release it without the permission of the people involved in the collision.”
Tennis
OSAKA’S 23-MATCH WIN STREAK ENDSINMIAMI>> No. 2 Naomi Osaka’s 23-match winning streak ended Wednesday when she lost to Maria Sakkari of Greece in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, 6-0, 6-4.
The defeat was Osaka’s first since February 2020. Sakkari will next play No. 8-seeded Bianca Andreescu of
Canada in the semifinals. The other women’s semifinal today will pit Barty against No. 5 Elina Svitolina.
NFL
SEAHAWKS, LOCKETT REACH 4-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION >> The Seattle Seahawks and veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett have agreed to a fouryear contract extension that includes $37 million guaranteed, according to The Associated Press. ESPN first reported the deal, which could be worth more than $69 million over the life of the contract.
Lockett, 28, is coming off a careerbest season with 100 receptions for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns.
NHL
CANUCKS’ DEMKO AGREES TO $25M DEAL >> The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Thatcher Demko have agreed on a five-year, $25 million extension, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Demko was in position to be a restricted free agent following the season.
Demko is in his first season as a full-time starter and has compiled a 12-12-1 record, 2.77 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in 25 starts.
FLAMES-CANUCKS POSTPONED AT LAST MINUTE >> The scheduled Wednesday night game between the Calgary Flames and the host Vancouver Canucks was postponed due to COVID-19, according to the NHL.
The announcement was made within two hours of faceoff after Vancouver forward Adam Gaudette as well as an unnamed Vancouver player and a Canucks coach entered COVID-19 protocols. The Canucks are scheduled to play Saturday in Edmonton to kick off a seven-game road trip.
SABRES END 18-GAME SKID WITH 6-1 WIN OVER FLYERS >> Linus Ullmark stopped 31 shots, and the host Buffalo Sabres snapped an 18-game skid — the NHL’s longest in 17 years — with a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was the first off the bench as the final horn sounded and led a line of Sabres players high-fiving Ullmark in an arena without fans.
Golf
ANA INSPIRATION BACK IN ITS USUAL SPOT, BUT STILL NO FANS >> The ANA Inspiration is back in its usual leadoff spot in golf’s major championship season, though far from normal with fans absent again.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on the festivities surrounding the 50th edition of the event, the players soaked in the familiar mountain views and colorful flower gardens at Mission Hills as they prepared for the start of play Thursda in Rancho Mirage.
“When you arrive here it’s just a different atmosphere,” Canadian star Brooke Henderson said about the event that started in 1972 as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle and became a major in 1983.
The tournament was postponed until September last year, with Mirim Lee chipping in for eagle on 18 to force a playoff, then beating Henderson and Nelly Korda with a birdie on the first extra hole.
Mission Hills played far different in September in 100-degree heat on Bermuda grass, than it will this week in slightly cooler temperatures on overseeded rye.
Michelle Wie West also is back at Mission Hills for the first time since 2019.