Tiger Woods was seriously injured Tuesday morning and was hospitalized after being involved in a car accident near Ranchos Palos Verdes, California. He had to be taken out of his SUV because it suffered extensive damage in a single vehicle traffic accident, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Woods, 45, had surgery Tuesday night. The 15-time grand winner underwent “a long surgical procedure on his right lower leg and ankle” at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and is “awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room,” according to a team press release.
“Mr. Woods sustained significant orthopedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by orthopedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center,” explains Dr. Anish Mahajan, the center’s chief medical officer and interim. DIRECTOR.
Crushed open fractures affecting both the upper and lower parts of the tibia and fibular bones were stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilized with a combination of screws and pins Muscle and soft tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling. “
Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, initially said his client suffered multiple leg injuries. Reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN indicated that Woods injured both legs. It is not known whether further operations will take place in the future.
His injuries were not determined to be life-threatening at the crash site. Woods was conscious, calm and lucid when paramedics arrived. Paramedics believed he was in a serious but stable condition with a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department representative saying Woods was “lucky to be alive,” taking his car (a 2021 Genesis SUV) and the decision to wear a seat belt, credited.
The SUV’s lone occupant, Woods, was freed through the vehicle’s windshield by paramedics, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. There was no evidence of driver impairment.
Woods was transported by ambulance to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to receive treatment for his injuries. LAFD chief Daryl Osby explained that the transportation from Woods to a trauma center rather than a local hospital indicated that his injuries were serious, but that his condition was not critical.
Woods was reportedly driving “at high speed” when he “lost control of the vehicle before crossing the center divider” while his SUV was rolling several times, law enforcement sources told the US. TimesThe LASD did not confirm that description of the accident, but noted that the area is high in car accidents as vehicles drive down a steep bend. The crash, which occurred shortly after 7 p.m. PT, is under investigation by the LASD.
Helicopter footage from the crash scene from KCBS-TV showed an SUV lying on its side in a ditch at the bottom of a hill with heavy damage to the front. Numerous parts of the vehicle were located in the vicinity. According to the LASD, airbags had deployed, but the cabin in the SUV was relatively unaffected.
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Woods spent the weekend in Southern California when he hosted the 2021 Genesis Invitational, which is sponsored by his foundation. He stayed there early this week to work with other celebrities as part of planned promotional activities.
The 15-time Major Champion with 82 PGA Tour wins in his career is recovering from a fifth surgery on his back in hopes of playing professionally later this year. He told CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz on Sunday at the Genesis Invitational that he hoped to play in the 2021 Masters in April if he was approved by doctors.
Woods last played at the PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida on December 20, 2020.
Athletes and celebrities have spent most of Tuesday sending Woods good wishes on social media.
CBS Sports will continue to update this breaking news story.