US golfer Tiger Woods in Hospital After Car Crash

KOMPAS.com - American golfing legend Tiger Woods was hospitalized Tuesday after being involved in a car crash, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.Woods sustained serious injuries to both of his legs in the crash, requiring surgery.

What we know so far

Local police officers "responded to a single vehicle rollover" accident close to Rolling Hills Estates just outside Los Angeles in which the "vehicle sustained major damage."

They said the 15-time golf major winner had to be "extricated from the wreck" by emergency services at the scene.

Woods, 45, was the sole occupant of the vehicle, the sheriff’s department said. He was taken away by ambulance to receive treatment at a local hospital.

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At a press conference following the crash, authorities said there is currently "no evidence" that Woods was impaired at the time of the crash. 

Kevin C. Cox/AFP Tiger Woods on winning the 2019 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USAm on Sunday (14/4/2019)

What has his team said?

"Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries," his manager, Mark Steinberg, said. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support."

"Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity," said Anish Mahajan, the Chief Medical Officer at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where Woods is being treated.

His team tweeted that Woods "has undergone a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle after being brought to the hospital... He is currently awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room."

pic.twitter.com/vZitnFV0YA

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 24, 2021

Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, where he presented the trophy. He was to spend Monday and Tuesday filming with Discovery-owned GOLFTV, with whom he has an endorsement contract.

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What has the reaction been to the crash?

News of the crash prompted an outpouring of support from athletes, celebrities and politicians. Former US President Barack Obama wished Woods a "speedy recovery" on Twitter. "If we've learned anything over the years, it's to never count Tiger out."