Tiger Woods awake, following surgery for extensive leg injuries

Photo: Golf Channel

Statement posted to Tiger Woods’ Twitter account by his spokesperson at 1am:

Tiger Woods suffered serious leg injuries and underwent surgery following a multiple roll-over single-driver SUV accident early in the morning on Tuesday in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California.

At approximately 7am, with Tiger Woods driving, and wearing a seatbelt, his auto came into contact with the center median, went through the opposite lane of traffic, and rolled multiple times up an embankment, also hitting more than one tree, but not several telephone poles. He was extricated by first responders from the fire department with an axe and a prying device (not requiring the jaws of life, as reported early-on). The vehicle was on loan from the Genesis Golf Tournament, a tournament he had played in on Monday.

Woods was taken out of the vehicle, put on a stretcher with neck support and transported to the nearest trauma center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He was said to be awake and able to speak at that time. He went into surgery for multiple injuries to his legs. These injuries have been described as compound fractures to both legs and a shattered right ankle and foot.

Medical personnel at the site said Tiger Woods’ use of his seatbelt was credited for saving his life.

Woods was recovering from his 5th back surgery recently and did not play golf the day before, but participated by giving advice. He had also taped promotional spots for a golf magazine. He had publicly questioned whether he was well enough to play in the upcoming tournament so soon after his surgery.