Tiger Woods Recovering After Undergoing Surgery on Leg After One-Car Crash
February 23, 2021
Tiger Woods was involved in a single-car crash in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California, on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that Woods' car "sustained major damage," and he was transported to a local hospital.
Officials from the L.A. County Fire Department clarified the original statement to say personnel at the scene didn't need to use hydraulic tools such as the "Jaws of Life" to get Woods out of the vehicle.
Woods' team issued a statement through his Twitter account Wednesday morning, saying he was "currently awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room."
Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, also confirmed Woods "suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity." He also had "open fractures" to his upper and lower tibia and fibula bones.
Los Angeles County Fire Department inspector Henry Narvaez initially described Woods' injuries as "moderate to critical" to reporters. L.A. Sheriff's Department Lt. Michael White provided more information on the crash and Woods' status:
Officials held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to provide updates:
Ben Golliver @BenGolliverFirst LACSD officer on the scene said Tiger Woods was “lucid & calm” after the accident, communicative & able to identify himself, but unable to walk under his own power. Woods was wearing a seatbelt at time of rollover accident. “He was fortunate to come out of this alive.”
The 45-year-old was the only person in the car, and the crash is under investigation by authorities.
NBC Los Angeles shared images from the scene of the wreck:
During his media availability ahead of the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession, Justin Thomas said he's "sick to my stomach" about the news and is hopeful for the best.
The PGA Tour issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying, in part: "Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers."
Woods was in California over the weekend for the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. While he didn't compete, the 15-time major champion serves as the host of the event through his charitable foundation.
He presented the trophy to tournament winner Max Homa on Sunday:
On Monday, Woods golfed with retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade and actress Jada Pinkett Smith:
Woods hasn't competed on the PGA Tour since the 2020 Masters in November, where he tied for 38th. Speaking with Jim Nantz on Sunday, he expressed optimism about competing in the 2021 Masters but acknowledged a level of doubt, having undergone a fifth back surgery in January.
In 2009, Woods suffered minor injuries in a crash outside his home in Windermere, Florida. The event sparked widespread reporting on his infidelities to then-wife Elin Nordegren.
The golf legend was arrested in 2017 under suspicion of driving under the influence after police officers found him asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle in Florida. A toxicology report showed five drugs—"painkillers, sleep drugs and an ingredient active in marijuana," per NBC News—in his system at the time of his arrest. He pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving.