Tiger Woods in surgery for multiple leg injuries after jaws of life used to extract him from rollover car crash
American professional golfer Tiger Woods was injured Tuesday morning, February 23, in what the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department termed a "single-vehicle roll-over traffic collision."
According to the department's Twitter account, the vehicle sustained "major damage" in the accident. The department’s statement says, “On February 23, 2021, at approximately 7:12 AM, LASD responded to a single-vehicle roll-over traffic collision on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The vehicle was traveling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard, at Blackhorse Road, when it crashed. The vehicle sustained major damage.”
This morning @LMTLASD responded to a roll-over collision in which @TigerWoods was injured. Please see our statement... pic.twitter.com/cSWOxKZC1w
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) February 23, 2021
READ MORE
Tiger Woods showed how superstars can overcome scandal and get back to the top
The statement added, “The driver and sole occupant was identified as PGA golfer, Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods. Mr. Woods was extricated from the wreck with the ‘jaws of life’ by Los Angeles County firefighters and paramedics, then transported to a local hospital by ambulance for his injuries. The traffic investigation is being conducted by investigators from LASD Lomita Station.”
Woods was in California reportedly for a two-day content shoot with Golf Digest/GOLFTV after serving as host for the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational over the weekend. According to his agent Mark Steinberg, Woods suffered “multiple” leg injuries. “He is currently in surgery,” Steinberg told the media. “And we thank you for your privacy and support.”
A look at the car Tiger Woods was in. https://t.co/biSQfMW0sK pic.twitter.com/WubFojEGfi
— Cody Chaffins (@Cody_Fox5) February 23, 2021
This is not the pro golfer’s first vehicular accident. In November 2009, Woods was injured when he lost control of his SUV outside his Florida mansion. Woods' wife reportedly used a golf club to smash out the back window to help get him out. The Florida Highway Patrol said Woods' vehicle hit a fire hydrant and a tree in his neighbor's yard after he pulled out of his driveway. Woods had then suffered lacerations to his upper and lower lips, and blood in his mouth. The crash had knocked Woods unconscious for about six minutes.
In May 2017, Woods was charged with driving under the influence in Florida after police discovered him asleep in a car that was damaged. A month after that arrest, Woods entered a clinic for treatment related to issues with prescription pain medication and a sleep disorder.
On Sunday, Woods indicated in an interview that he has not practiced the sport much in the wake of his fifth back surgery in December. He also said that he would not guarantee being a part of the final round of the 2021 Masters Tournament in seven weeks. "I've got to get there first," said Woods. "I have looked at my putter… I don't know what the plan is. The plan right now is to get through tomorrow and start progressing."
Woods had a microdiscectomy on December 23, 2020, a procedure to alleviate nerve pain in his lower back. He had that same procedure three times before as well -- once in 2014 and twice in 2015. He then had a far more serious spinal fusion in April 2017. Woods has won 82 titles on the PGA. He has won 15 major championships, including the Masters Tournament five times.