Golf legend Tiger Woods was seriously injured Tuesday in a one-car accident that called for a “jaws of life” rescue in Southern California, authorities said.
Woods’ vehicle was going north on Hawthorne Boulevard at Blackhorse road, on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, when it crashed and sustained “major damage,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Woods was the driver and the only occupant of the vehicle, the statement said.
“Mr. Woods was extracted from the wreck with the ‘jaws of life,'” the sheriff added.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, the statement said. Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, told NBC News on Tuesday afternoon that Woods was in surgery for multiple leg injuries.
“We have been made aware of Tiger Woods’ car accident today,” according to a statement from the PGA.
“We are awaiting further information when he comes out of surgery. On behalf of the PGA TOUR and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers.”
Woods famously crashed his car just a few days after Thanksgiving 2009 in Florida. The accident inadvertently revealed a bitter marital dispute between him and then-wife Elin Nordegren. A host of women then came forward to admit to having extra-marital affairs with the famed golfer.
Woods hasn’t played in a tournament this year and is recovering from the fifth back surgery he underwent in December.
The 45-year-old golfer, who is based in Jupiter, Florida, was in Southern California this weekend for the Genesis Invitational, which benefits his foundation.
An HBO documentary last month chronicled Woods’ meteoric rise and public shaming in 2009 and 2010.
Even through he’s still active, Woods is already considered one of the greatest golfers in the sport’s history.
His 82 tournament wins is tied for most in a career with “Slammin’ Sammy” Snead. Woods’ 15 majors is second only to Jack Nicklaus.
Woods’ last tournament title was at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan. His most recent major victory was at the 2019 Masters.
