The wreckage of Woods' car off Hawthorne Boulevard
Credit: AP
Woods cut from the car with an axe
Woods was conscious and "able to communicate" when emergency services arrived six minutes after the crash, at 7.18am.
He was not able to stand, owing to the severe injuries to his lower body, but the sheriff said he was "lucid" and "calm".
Police said there was no evidence of impairment when Woods was assessed at the scene, and that no blood samples were drawn by investigators after he was rushed by ambulance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, about 14 miles away.
Police began clearing the scene on Monday evening
Credit: AP
Fire crews used an axe to cut through the wreckage to get him out, and a hook to pull away the remains of the car’s windscreen. Police initially said he was rescued with “the jaws of life”, a hydraulic tool used to recover victims from crash scenes, but later said that was not the case.
Overhead images showed the car’s bonnet had caved in and that the airbag had been inflated.
Police will now carry out an investigation into the crash.
Debris from Woods' car was strewn near the road
Credit: AP
The latest news on Woods’ injuries
LA County’s fire chief told reporters that Woods suffered serious injuries to both legs and that he was in a serious but stable condition.
Woods was reported to have suffered multiple fractures and lacerations on both legs and was rushed to the operating theatre.
The LA County sheriff said the injuries were "non-life-threatening".
However, there is concern that such a serious crash could end Woods’s career and close a monumental golfing era in which he has won 15 major championships and transcended the sport to become one of the most iconic athletes in the world.
Read more: Oliver Brown: Tiger Woods said he wanted a pain-free life — at the moment, that is all anyone could wish him
There will now be a police investigation into the crash
Credit: REUTERS
Was there a second crash?
Police said there was a second collision involving a "looky-loo" who stopped to look at the scene – but that incident was minor and nobody was injured.
How did the golf world react?
The game’s top players were on Monday preparing for the World Golf Championship Workday Challenge near Tampa, Florida, which begins on Thursday.
Justin Thomas, a regular practice partner of Woods, broke down in tears at a press conference.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” the world No 3 said. “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 [daughter Sam, 13, and son Charlie, 11]. I’m sure they’re struggling.”
"I'm sick to my stomach."
Justin Thomas reacts to the news of Tiger Woods being injured after a single-car crash. pic.twitter.com/RMXKLfSi9N
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 23, 2021
Adam Scott, the former world No 1 said: “It’s sickening. He’s our hero out here. You think guys like Tiger and Kobe Bryant are untouchable, but they’re not. I just hope he’s all right.”
Jack Nicklaus, who is the only player in history to have won more major tournaments than Woods, said: “Please join us in wishing Tiger a successful surgery and all the best for a full recovery.”
"Our thoughts are with Tiger and his family at this time,” the R&A said.
There were messages of support from beyond the golf world. Donald Trump, the former US president who has played golf with Woods and awarded him the Medal of Freedom in 2019, said: “Get well soon, Tiger. You are a true champion!”
Woods’ former girlfriend, Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, tweeted: "Praying for TW".
The PGA Tour said in a statement: “On behalf of the PGA TOUR and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers.”
America’s sporting greats have been tweeting messages of support, including boxer Mike Tyson and basketball legend Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson.
Fight @tigerwoods like the champion you are for your kids and the world. Love and prayers
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) February 23, 2021
Everyone send your prayers out to Tiger Woods! He was just in a bad car accident. Let us all pray for his speedy recovery 🙏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 23, 2021
Woods’ driving incidents
Woods has been involved in a number of driving incidents.
In 2009, he smashed his car into a tree and a fire hydrant outside his luxury Florida home, sparking a series of scandalous revelations that led to the end of his marriage and harmed his reputation.
He divorced his wife, Elin Nordegren, with whom he has two children, after a number of women claimed they had affairs with the golfer.
In May 2017, Woods was arrested near his Jupiter Island home in Florida after he was asleep at the wheel of his car in a traffic lane. He had taken a mixture of prescription drugs.
Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was fined and ordered to carry out community service.
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