Tiger shares first photo since SUV crash
Tiger Woods is back in the swing of standing on golf greens.
The links legend who was seriously injured in a Feb. 23 rollover car accident posted his first post-crash portrait on Instagram Friday, showing himself standing and smiling with the help of two crutches and a soft brace on one leg at his backyard practice area in Jupiter, Fla.
“My course is coming along faster than I am,” he wrote in the caption.
The photo included a peek at his adorable dog.
“It’s nice to have a faithful rehab partner, man’s best friend,” he wrote.
Woods, 45, was driving at an “unsafe speed” when he lost control of his loaner SUV, hit a raised median, crossed two lanes of oncoming traffic and rolled multiple times at the border of Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates south of Los Angeles, officials said.
He was racing at between 84 and 87 mph in a 45-mph zone before he ended up pinned in the badly mangled 2021 Genesis GV80, they said.
Woods suffered serious injuries to his right leg and was rushed into emergency surgery.
Several weeks after the crash, he left the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
He released a statement saying he was “grateful” for the good Samaritans and first responders who ran to his aid.
“I will continue to focus on my recovery and family, and thank everyone for the overwhelming support and encouragement I’ve received throughout this very difficult time,” he said after authorities confirmed he wouldn’t be charge with any crimes.
Nancy Dillon
FINAU-CHAMP TIED WITH HOVLAND-VENTURA AT ZURICH
Tony Finau and Cameron Champ shot a 4-under 68 in alternate-shot play Friday for a share of the Zurich Classic lead with the Norwegian duo of Viktor Hovland and Kris Ventura.
“I know we’re having a good time with this format up to this point,” Finau said about the lone team event on the PGA Tour. “We’ve both played some really solid golf, and we find ourselves at the top of the leaderboard.
“We’ll do what we’ve been doing the last couple days, which is enjoy each other’s company and not add any bonus pressure when it comes to teammate golf.”
Hovland and Ventura had a 69 to match Finau and Champ at 13-under 131. The teams will play best ball Saturday, and close with an alternate-shot round Sunday.
“Just having fun, and obviously we don’t get to do this very often,” Ventura said. “We’re playing some good golf, and the course we both like, so it’s just one of those things where we’re comfortable playing out here.”