Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winning American professional golfer, suffered serious injuries in a single-vehicle rollover crash on February 23, 2021, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.[1]

The incident occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time. Woods was driving a Hyundai Genesis SUV at speeds of 84-87 mph in a 45 mph zone when the vehicle struck a curb and center median, spun, and rolled multiple times before stopping on the driver's side against a tree, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.[1][2]

Woods was the sole occupant. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate him from the driver's side. He sustained comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower joints of the tibia and fibula in his right leg and underwent surgery later that day.[1][2]

Prior to the crash, Woods had undergone at least five back surgeries since 2014. Following the accident, he had multiple additional procedures on his right lower leg.[3]

On May 29, 2017, Woods was arrested in Jupiter, Florida, on charges including driving under the influence after deputies found him asleep behind the wheel of a running Mercedes-Benz stopped across a bike lane at around 2 a.m.[4]

A blood test revealed multiple substances, including hydrocodone and its metabolite hydromorphone, as well as zolpidem and THC. Woods attributed the incident to an adverse reaction to prescription medications taken after recent back surgery. DUI charges were dropped in October 2017 after he completed a pretrial diversion program.[4][5]

Timeline of incidents

• May 29, 2017: DUI arrest in Jupiter, Florida; no crash; prescription drugs detected.[4]
• February 23, 2021: Rollover crash in Rancho Palos Verdes, California; serious leg injuries; no impairment charges.[1]

Sources

1. Publisher: Reuters
   Article title: Tiger Woods seriously injured in California car crash - sheriff's office
   Publication date: February 23, 2021
   Direct URL: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-golf-woods-crash/tiger-woods-seriously-injured-in-california-car-crash-sheriffs-office-idUSKBN2AM1G4/
2. Publisher: ESPN
   Article title: Tiger Woods has surgery after single-car crash in L.A. area
   Publication date: February 23, 2021
   Direct URL: https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/31048128/tiger-woods-suffers-leg-injuries-car-wreck-los-angeles-area
3. Publisher: PGA Tour
   Article title: Tiger Woods' medical history (encyclopedic background)
   Accessed date: 2024
   Direct URL: https://www.pgatour.com/player/08793/tiger-woods
4. Publisher: Reuters
   Article title: Tiger Woods arrested for DUI in Florida; releases statement
   Publication date: May 29, 2017
   Direct URL: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-golf-woods-arrest/tiger-woods-arrested-for-dui-in-florida-releases-statement-idUSKBN18M2DV/
5. Publisher: BBC Sport
   Article title: Tiger Woods DUI charge dropped after 'medical emergency'
   Publication date: October 27, 2017
   Direct URL: https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/41758979