National Post (National Edition)
GOLF WORLD SHAKEN BY WOODS ACCIDENT
Woods suffers serious leg injuries
Tiger Woods suffered compound fractures to both legs when his SUV rolled over after careering across the road Tuesday morning in a residential area south of Los Angeles.
Woods, who had been wearing a seatbelt, had to be extricated from the vehicle through the windshield using a pry bar and an axe. He was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center near Carson, Calif., a Level 1 trauma centre located about 14 kilometres from the crash site.
He was calm and lucid, emergency responders said.
“There was no evidence of impairment,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva at a press conference later Tuesday afternoon, but Woods appears to have been travelling at a “relatively greater speed than normal” in the early morning accident. Villanueva said there were no skid marks or signs of braking.
However, the investigation will take several weeks, he said.
The 45-year-old golf legend underwent surgery on both legs Tuesday afternoon.
Fellow pros were in tears when told about the accident and there was huge relief when it was later revealed that the injuries were “non-life-threatening.”
However, there was obvious concern that this could be the end for Woods the golfer who has bestrode his sport like no other.
The accident happened at 7:12 a.m. when rescue services were called to Rancho Palos Verdes, a district south of Los Angeles. No other cars were involved.
Woods was on his way to Rolling Hills Country Club to give a lesson to NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Justin Herbert, Fox News and ESPN reported.
Overhead images of the crash scene showed the SUV — a 2021 Genesis GV80 — on its side, with its hood caved in and the airbag inflated. Mark Steinberg, Woods's longtime agent, confirmed the news that shocked the world of golf and beyond.
“Tiger was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries,” Steinberg said.
Woods, who now lives in Florida, had been in his hometown principally in his role as tournament host of the Genesis Open, which finished on Sunday. He has been out of action since undergoing a fifth back operation in December, but showed up at Riviera Country Club to support the PGA Tour event, which benefits his charitable foundation.
Word of the accident soon reached the World Golf Championship Workday Challenge near Tampa, where the game's top players are preparing for Wednesday's first round.
Justin Thomas, a neighbour and regular practice partner of Woods, could hardly contain his emotions in a press conference.
“I'm sick to my stomach,” the world No. 3 said. “You know, it hurts to see one of your closest friends get in an accident. Man, I just hope he's all right. Just worry for his kids (Charlie, 13, and Sam, 11). I'm sure they're struggling.”
Justin Rose, England's former world No. 1, tweeted: “Just seen the awful news. We know how tough you are, we've seen it a hundred times. Hoping and praying you're OK my friend.”
Woods has been a transcendent star whose life and career had been under a spotlight since he was first learned to swing a golf club. He rewrote record books, chased down the game's legends and became one of the world's most marketable celebrities.
From 1997 until 2008, he was without peer on the course, winning 14 majors, including four Masters, trailing only Jack Nicklaus' 18 majors. His fame often overshadowed the sport, and headlines focused on his personal life. Woods admitted to extramarital affairs and announced a break from golf in 2009.
In the ensuing years, Woods battled through injuries, broke with his longtime caddie and slid down the world rankings. He was arrested near his Florida home in 2017 for driving under the influence. He told police at the time he was taking prescription painkillers.
On Sunday, Woods spoke with broadcaster Jim Nantz and cast uncertainty over a return. Asked about playing in this year's Masters, Woods said, “God, I hope so, but I've got to get there first.”