Tiger Woods has surgery for multiple leg injuries after crashing car at high speed
GOLF superstar Tiger Woods had surgery for serious leg injuries last night after wrecking his car in an accident in Los Angeles.
Fire crews pulled Woods (45) from the wreckage of the vehicle after it rolled over and suffered “major damage”.
The 15-time major winner was taken to hospital by ambulance having suffered “multiple leg injuries”, according to his manager Mark Steinberg.
The crash happened on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, two we althy communities about 32km south of downtown Los Angeles.
There was a second crash when a vehicle that had apparently stopped to help Woods got hit, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. That wreck was very minor, and no one was hurt.
Citing law-enforcement sources, the Los Angeles Times said Woods was travelling at high speed and crossed the centre divider after losing control of the car. The vehicle rolled over several times, and Woods had to be removed through the windscreen, the Times reported.
The golfer was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center by ambulance.
LA County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the crash in a statement, saying: “The driver and sole occupant was identified as PGA golfer Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods.
“Mr Woods was extricated from the wreck by Los Angeles County firefighters and paramedics, then transported to a local hospital by ambulance for his injuries, which were not believed to be life-threatening.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference hours later that Woods was conscious and “able to communicate” when rescue personnel arrived.
The sheriff said there was no evidence of impairment when Woods was assessed by emergency workers at the scene, and that no blood samples were drawn by investigators after he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital.
CNN reported Woods sustained compound fractures to his legs.
Carlos Gonzales, a sheriff’s deputy who was the first to reach the wreck, described Woods, who was wearing his seatbelt, as “calm and lucid” and said he recognised the golf great after Woods told the officer his name was “Tiger.”
The sheriff ’s department initially said a rescue tool known as “the jaws of life” was used to pry Woods from the wreckage. Fire department officials later said emergency personnel pulled Woods from the vehicle through the front windscreen after the glass was removed.
Woods was seen in public at Riviera Country Club in LA at the weekend as host of the Genesis Invitational, but was not competing following recent back surgery.
Since turning pro in 1996, he has been one of the most successful golfers in history, winning some 106 tournaments, including 15 of the majors.
He’s long been a spokesman for Nike and served as a inspiration to young players, particularly given his Black, Asian and Native American background.
Woods’s life has also had its own share of upheaval and scandal, including a 2009 car accident in Florida and another in 2017. On that occasion, he had five prescription drugs in his system and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence when found asleep at the wheel of his car.
He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Former US alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn, an ex-girlfriend of Woods, tweeted: “Praying for TW right now.”