Reaction,
LEADING SPORTS FIGURES WEIGH IN ON GOLF GREAT’S SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH
Reaction came swiftly after the world learned that superstar golfer Tiger Woods was injured in a single vehicle rollover in California on Tuesday morning near Los Angeles.
Woods underwent surgery and later reports said both legs were broken and an ankle was shattered.
Reaction from across the world quickly rolled in:
PGA golfer and good friend Justin Thomas:
“I am sick to my stomach. It hurts to see one of your ... closest friends get in an accident and I just hope he’s all right. Just worried for his kids. I’m sure they are struggling.”
PGA golfer Phil Mickelson on Twitter:
“We are all pulling for you, Tiger. We are so sorry that you and your family are going through this tough time. Everyone hopes and prays for your full and speedy recovery.”
Bryson Dechambeau on Twitter:
Heartbroken and shocked to hear about @Tigerwoods accident today. My thoughts and prayers are with him for a full recovery.
PGA golfer Adam Scott:
“It’s sickening. He’s our hero out here. You think guys like Tiger and Kobe Bryant are untouchable, but they’re not. I just hope he’s all right.”
PGA golfer Xander Schauffele:
“Everyone I’ve talked to has been in a strange mood due to the news. I was talking to my caddie about the impact (Tiger’s) had on the game. It’s not good for us, not good for the game of golf. All we can do is hope that he’s fine and has a speedy recovery.”
Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara:
“We want to offer him our heartfelt support and prayers at this difficult time. Please join us in wishing Tiger a successful surgery and all the best for a full recovery.”
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley’s statement.
“Tiger Woods is part of the Augusta National Family, and the news of his accident is upsetting to all of us. We pray for him, for his full recovery and for his family during this difficult time.”
The PGA Tour’s statement. “We have been made aware of Tiger Woods’ car accident today. We are awaiting further 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 Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, whom Woods dated from 2013 to 2015, tweeted:
“Praying for TW right now.”
Magic Johnson on Twitter: “Everyone send your prayers out to Tiger Woods . ... Let us all pray for his speedy recovery.”
Patriots receiver Julian Edelman on Twitter:
“Thinking of @Tigerwoods this afternoon ... prayers this is just the beginning of another major comeback.”
PGA golfer Tony Finau: “When I saw the condition of his car, for me, I just hoped that he’s OK, that’s the biggest reaction really. Also a little bit of shock because we had something crazy happen in our sports world last year with Kobe (Bryant). I wouldn’t say that dramatic of feelings, but you just hope Tiger is all right.”
Retired MLB player Alex Rodriguez on Twitter:
“Praying for my brother @Tigerwoods as we all anxiously await more news. Thinking of him and his entire family.”
Longtime sponsor of Woods, Nike Inc., in a statement:
“We are following the news around Tiger and our thoughts and heart are with him and his family at this time.”
Other athletes such as Karl-anthony Towns, Isaiah Thomas, Trae Young, Myles Garrett, Reggie Bush, Tim Brown and Michael Phelps were just a few who raised up prayers to Woods on Twitter.
Woods hosted the most recent PGA Tour event, the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., though he didn’t play in the tournament because of recent back surgery.
According to Golf Digest, he was scheduled to take part in the second day of a Golf Digest/golftv shoot in which he gave lessons to various celebrities.
Speaking with CBS’S Jim Nantz during the Genesis TV broadcast on Sunday, Woods said he hoped to play in this year’s Masters in about seven weeks. Woods, 45, underwent his fourth microdiscectomy procedure — his fifth back surgery — to lessen nerve pain Dec. 23. He had the same procedure in 2014 and twice the following year.
“God, I hope so, but I’ve got to get there first,” Woods told Nantz of playing in the Masters. “A lot of it is based on my surgeons and my doctors and my therapists and making sure I do it correctly because this is the only back I got, so I don’t have much more wiggle room left here.”