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Tiger Woods Undergoes Surgery After Rollover Vehicle Accident

February 23rd, 2021

Tiger Woods, shown here in December, has been injured in an automobile collision, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

Updated at 5 p.m. ET

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods underwent surgery after he was injured during a traffic accident Tuesday morning in Los Angeles County, according to his agent.

Woods “suffered multiple leg injuries,” his agent, Mark Steinberg, said in a statement to NPR.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that Woods, 45, was driving the only vehicle involved in the collision and that the vehicle rolled over. “Mr. Woods was extricated from the wreck with the ‘jaws of life’ by Los Angeles County firefighters and paramedics, then transported to a local hospital by ambulance for his injuries,” the department said in a statement.

Woods was alone in the vehicle when it crashed between Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. Authorities said the vehicle “sustained major damage.”

Aerial footage of the scene aired by MSNBC showed a badly damaged vehicle flipped on its side, with its hood bent back and its back smashed.

Woods was host of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament over the weekend at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. He remained in Los Angeles for a two-day shoot for Golf Digest/GolfTV, according to the magazine.

Woods has undergone a series of back surgeries, most recently a microdiscectomy following the PNC Championship in December, the last tournament he played. It was Woods’ fifth back surgery, according to Golf Digest.

During an interview Sunday on CBS, Woods was asked whether he would return to play by the time of the 2021 Masters this April. “God, I hope so,” Woods said, but made no prediction.

Fellow athletes expressed shock and concern after learning of the collision.

“Man, I just hope he’s all right,” professional golfer Justin Thomas told reporters. “Just worried for his kids, you know — I’m sure they’re struggling.”

Former professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez tweeted, “Praying for my brother @TigerWoods as we all anxiously await more news.”