Fifteen-time golf major champion Tiger Woods is “awake and responsive” following a car crash in Los Angeles. Woods suffered serious injuries to his right leg and has had extensive surgery.
The champion, 45, was extricated from the wreck of his SUV after i left the road and crashed through a barrier early on the morning of Tuesday 23rd February. He was alone in the vehicle.
Firefighters and paramedics attended the incident and a statement on Woods’ Twitter account said that he was resting comfortably after surgery.
His injuries included open fractures affecting the tibia and fibula bones in his lower right leg, which were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia, and injuries to his foot and ankle which were stabilised with screws and pins.
The leg injuries were described as “comminuted”, meaning that there were moe than one break. Woods also suffered trauma to the muscle and tissue of the leg requiring surgical intervention to release pressure.
Lucky
Woods, who was wearing a seatbelt in the crash, was described as being not able to stand once rescuers removed him from the vehicle. An LA County deputy described him as ‘lucky to be alive’ after the 2021 Genesis GV80 luxury SUV crossed the central barrier, hit a curb and rolled over on a winding road. Woods was driving to an early morning filming appointment at the time. Sherriffs said there were indications the vehicle was travelling at speed, though they commented that accidents were common on the winding downhill roads in the area. It’s thought that no other vehicle was involved.
Celebrities including former US President Barack Obama, tennis player Serena Williams, basketball star Stephen Curry and singer Mariah Carey were quick to post messages of support on social media. Golfing world
number three Justin Thomas is one of Woods’ best friends on the PGA TOUR and said: “I’m sick to my stomach. 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, you know. I’m sure they’re struggling.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: “On behalf of the PGA Tour and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers.”
Recovery
Tiger Woods had been recovering from a fifth back surgery in January. He was in Los Angeles to host last week’s Genesis Invitational PGA Tour event, and was driving one of the tournament cars when he crashed.
Experts are now questioning whether Woods can salvage his career after this latest setback. But, they have been proved wrong before – Tiger Woods made one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time after his initial back surgeries. We at Essential Golf wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.