Tiger Woods fans in Philly react to golf legend's crash
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Tiger Woods was seriously injured Tuesday when his SUV crashed into a median, rolled over and ended up on its side near a steep road in suburban Los Angeles known for wrecks, authorities said. The golf superstar had to be pulled out through the windshield, and his agent said he underwent leg surgery.
Woods was alone in the SUV when it crashed into a raised median, crossed two oncoming lanes and rolled several times, authorities said at a news conference. No other cars were involved. The 45-year-old was alert and able to communicate as firefighters pried open the front windshield to get him out.
The airbags went off and the inside of the vehicle stayed basically intact, and that "gave him a cushion to survive the crash," Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. Both of his legs were seriously injured, county Fire Chief Daryl Osby said.
Sources tell ESPN that Woods has crush injuries of both lower legs, including a compound fracture and a shattered ankle.
RELATED: Timeline of Tiger Woods' career
They said there was no immediate evidence that Woods was impaired. Authorities said they checked for any odor of alcohol or other signs he was under the influence of a substance and did not find any. They did not say how fast he was driving.
Many fans in the Philadelphia region are pulling for the golfing great after learning news of the crash.
"It seemed like he had a rough time. The end of his career was pretty rough after the divorce with his wife. So me personally, I just wish him the best," said Mitch Mitchell of Strawberry Mansion.
"I'd like to see him come back but I doubt it, he's too old now," said Rick Schaefer of Roxborough.
WATCH: Crane hoists Tiger Woods' car upright
"That's a shame because he's a good man," added Reynaldo Olivio of Roxborough.
The crash happened on a sweeping, downhill stretch of a two-lane road through upscale Los Angeles suburbs. Sheriff's Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, who was the first to get to the wreck, said he sometimes catches people topping 80 mph in the 45 mph zone and crashes are common.
"I will say that it's very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive," Gonzalez said
"My thoughts and prayers are with Tiger and his family, and I hope everything works out for him," said Danny Hemcher of Bryn Mawr.
Some note that not only did this come at a time when Woods appeared to be on his way to making a strong comeback but at a time when he was building such a great bond with his son.
"I love the relationship (he) and his son have. So I just hope everything works out for him and his family," said Kathy Caldwell.
WATCH: Crane hoists Tiger Woods' car upright
When the deputy arrived, a neighbor told him the driver was still in the vehicle. Gonzalez said he poked his head through a hole in the windshield and saw Woods with his seatbelt on.
The deputy asked Woods questions, including what day it was and where he was.
"Tiger was able to speak to me lucidly," Gonzalez said. Woods appeared "incredibly calm," the deputy said, likely because he was in shock.
WATCH: What we know about Tiger Woods' condition
Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, where he presented the trophy on Sunday. He was to spend Monday and Tuesday filming with Discovery-owned GOLFTV, with whom he has an endorsement. A tweet Monday showed Woods in a cart smiling with comedian David Spade.
According to Golf Digest, also owned by Discovery, the TV shoot was on-course lessons for celebrities, such as Spade and Dwyane Wade, at Rolling Hills Country Club.
RELATED: President Trump awards Tiger Woods with Presidential Medal of Freedom
Woods, a 15-time major champion who shares with Sam Snead the PGA Tour record of 82 career victories, has been recovering from Dec. 23 surgery on his lower back. It was his fifth back surgery and first since his lower spine was fused in April 2017, allowing him to stage a remarkable comeback that culminated with his fifth Masters title in 2019.
He has carried the sport since his record-setting Masters victory in 1997 when he was 21, winning at the most prolific rate in modern PGA Tour history. He is singularly responsible for TV ratings spiking, which has led to enormous increases in prize money during his career. Even at 45, he remains the biggest draw in the sport.
He last played Dec. 20 in the PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida, an unofficial event where players are paired with parents or children. He played with his son, Charlie, who is now 12. Woods also has a 13-year-old daughter.
During the Sunday telecast on CBS from the golf tournament, Woods was asked about playing the Masters on April 8-11 and said, "God, I hope so." He said he was feeling a little stiff and had one more test to see if he was ready for more activities.
He was not sure when he would play again.
Athletes and others from Mike Tyson and Magic Johnson to former President Donald Trump offered hopes that Woods would make a quick recovery.
"I'm sick to my stomach," Justin Thomas, the No. 3 golf player in the world, said from the Workday Championship in Bradenton, Florida. "It hurts to see one of my closest friends get in an accident. Man, I just hope he's all right."
This is the third time Woods has been involved in a car investigation. The most notorious was the early morning after Thanksgiving in 2009, when his SUV ran over a fire hydrant and hit a tree. That was the start of shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife with multiple women. Woods lost major corporate sponsorships, went to a rehabilitation clinic in Mississippi and did not return to golf for five months.
In May 2017, Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car parked awkwardly on the side of the road. He was arrested on a DUI charge and said later he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine for his back pain. Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and checked into a clinic to get help with prescription medication and a sleep disorder.
Woods hasn't won since the Zozo Championship in Japan in fall 2019, and he's reduced his playing schedule in recent years because of injuries. Tuesday's surgery would be his 10th. Besides his back surgeries, he's had four previous surgeries on his left knee, including a major reconstruction after he won the 2008 U.S. Open.
