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Tiger Woods says recovering at home after crash
LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Tiger Woods said Tuesday he has
left hospital and is recovering at home after being seriously injured in a
car crash in Los Angeles last month.
In a statement released on social media, the golf superstar thanked
hospital staff who cared for him following his single vehicle car accident on
February 23.
“Happy to report that I am back home and continuing my recovery,” Woods
said. “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that
I have received over the past few weeks.”
“Thank you to the incredible surgeons, doctors, nurses and staff at
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. You have all
taken such great care of me and I cannot thank you enough,” he added. “I will
be recovering at home and working on getting stronger every day.”
Woods suffered serious injuries when his car flew off the road and flipped
several times during last month’s accident.
The 45-year-old 15-time major champion later underwent hours of surgery to
repair his shattered lower right leg and ankle, which included the insertion
of a rod into his tibia and the use of screws and pins to stabilise the
joint.
– ‘Purely an accident’ –
Woods faces a lengthy recovery from his injuries, which included open
fractures affecting his right leg, raising questions over his future playing
career which has also included 82 tour victories.
Woods was already recovering from his fifth back surgery — and hoping he
would be able to prepare for a run at the Masters in April — when the crash
occurred.
Investigators in Los Angeles have said Woods does not face charges of
reckless driving over the crash, describing it as “purely an accident” and
adding there was no evidence of impairment.
Last month’s accident was the latest dramatic chapter of Woods career,
which saw him dominate the golf world for more than a decade before a 2009
sex scandal sent his game into freefall.
He later divorced from his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren after a cascade of
women came forward to say they had affairs with the golfer.
In May 2017, he was arrested near his home in Florida for being asleep at
the wheel of his car in a traffic lane. Woods said he had taken prescription
drugs and pleaded guilty to reckless driving. A series of operations on his
back left many wondering whether Woods could ever return to the top of his
sport, but he completed a fairytale comeback with victory at the 2019 Masters
to clinch his 15th major title, three shy of the record of 18 held by Jack
Nicklaus.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0905 hrs