Rory McIlroy channelled Tiger Woods in the opening round as the former world number one impressed on his way to a share of the one-stroke lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

McIlroy's birdie blitz saw the four-time major champion card a near-flawless six-under-par 66 in Orlando, Florida on Thursday.

Winner of the PGA Tour event in 2018, McIlroy holed seven birdies – including five in a row on the back nine – to lift the Northern Irishman to the top of the leaderboard alongside Canada's Corey Conners.

McIlroy's birdie run from the second to the sixth hole tied the second-longest streak of his career in a round on the PGA Tour, having also managed the feat twice in 2015 (Wells Fargo Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational).

Reflecting on his bright start at Bay Hill, McIlroy said he was inspired by 15-time major winner and American superstar Woods – who has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational on eight occasions throughout his illustrious career.

Woods is currently recovering after undergoing surgery following a near-fatal single-vehicle crash last week.

"Obviously a 66 is a great way to start the tournament," said McIlroy, who is without a win since 2019. "I feel like you don't have to do anything special to shoot a good score here. You can be really conservative off the tees if you want to be, so there are a bunch of irons that you can hit off tees.

"I think the toughest thing about this course is the par-threes and I played them in three under today, so that was a bonus. But I've watched Tiger enough here over the years and the way he played this course was, he played it very conservatively, he took care of the par-fives, and that was usually good enough to get the job done. So I've taken a little bit of a leaf out of his book."

U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is a shot off the pace following his five-under-par 67, while Jason Kokrak, Byeong Hun An and Sebastian Munoz are a stroke further back.

Former world number one Jordan Spieth – eyeing his first victory since 2017 – ended the first round in a tie for 15th and four shots behind the leading pair.

Tyrrell Hatton's title defence got off to a forgettable start after shooting a first-round 77 to be five over the card heading into Friday's second round.

Tiger Woods was touched by the support of his peers at the WGC-Workday Championship, expressing his gratitude as he continues to recover following a car crash.

Woods was involved in a single-vehicle incident that saw his car roll "several hundred feet" on Tuesday – the 15-time major champion, who was "very fortunate" to survive, undergoing a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle.

The crash involving Woods rocked the golf and sports community, with four-time major winner Rory McIlroy among the players to have showed their support on Sunday by wearing the American great's traditional final-round outfit amid doubts over his long-term future.

After donning Woods' iconic red shirt and black pants, McIlroy – who finished tied for sixth at The Concession Golf Club in Florida – said: "Obviously things are looking a little better today than they were on Tuesday, but he's still got a ways to go. He's got a huge recovery ahead of him.

"I think it was just for everyone to show their appreciation for what he means to us out here. If there was no Tiger Woods, I just think the Tour and the game of golf would be in a worse place.

"He's meant a lot to us, he still does mean a lot to us, and I think that was just a little way to show that."

Woods then tweeted: "It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts.

"To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time."

American Collin Morikawa, 24, followed in the footsteps of Woods after claiming the WGC-Workday Championship by three strokes.

Winner of last year's U.S. PGA Championship, four-time PGA Tour champion Morikawa joined Woods as the only players to win a major championship and WGC event before turning 25.

Further to that feat, Morikawa also became the seventh player to clinch four or more PGA Tour tournaments – including a major – under the age of 25 after Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jerry Pate.

Morikawa paid tribute to Woods, saying: "Tiger means everything to me. Yes, he had the crash and thankfully he's alright and hopefully he has a quick and great recovery, but I don't think we say thank you enough. So, I want to say thank you to Tiger." 

Collin Morikawa added the WGC-Workday Championship to his growing list of achievements after triumphing by three strokes.

Winner of last year's U.S. PGA Championship, Morikawa used a three-under-par 69 to seal victory at the star-studded World Golf Championships event in Florida ahead of Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka and Billy Horschel on Sunday.

Morikawa holed four birdies and just one bogey to finish 18 under for his fourth PGA Tour crown – the most by any player currently aged under 25.

He also joins Tiger Woods as the only player to win a major championship and WGC event before turning 25.

Further to that feat, Morikawa is the seventh player to claim four or more PGA Tour tournaments – including a major – under the age of 25, following in the footsteps of Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jerry Pate.

The overnight leader by two strokes, Morikawa recovered from a slow start after bogeying his second hole of the final round – the 24-year-old American birdieing three of five holes before the turn as he ended the day without dropping another shot.

Norwegian star Hovland mounted a serious title charge following a five-under par 67, but he was unable to stop Morikawa.

Hovland finished tied for second alongside four-time major champion Koepka (70) and Horschel (70) at The Concession Golf Club.

McIlroy's final-round 71 saw the former world number one and four-time major winner slip down into a tie for sixth, six strokes adrift of Morikawa.

Defending champion Patrick Reed (72) ended the co-sanctioned PGA and European Tour tournament a shot further back.

Justin Thomas (71) earned a share of 15th at eight under, a stroke better off than U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau (69).

It was a forgettable finish for world number one Dustin Johnson, who closed proceedings with a six-over-par 78.

The two-time tournament winner plummeted 12 positions to T54 at five over the card.

Tiger Woods is in "good spirits" after undergoing further procedures on injuries sustained in a car crash on Tuesday.

The 15-time major champion was involved in a single-vehicle incident that saw his car roll "several hundred feet".

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) said Woods was "very fortunate" to survive, although a long surgical procedure was required on his lower right leg and ankle.

In a statement released on Friday, Woods' team said the American great underwent further procedures after being moved to a different hospital.

"Tiger has moved to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and received follow-up procedures on his injuries this morning. The procedures were successful, and he is now recovering and in good spirits," the statement said.

"Tiger and his family want to thank you all for the wonderful support and messages they have received over the past few days. We will not have any further updates at this time.

"Thank you for your continued privacy."

The roll-over car crash that hospitalised Tiger Woods is being treated as an accident and Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villanueva revealed he does not expect any charges brought.

The 15-time major winner Woods was temporarily trapped in the wreckage before being taken to hospital to undergo surgery on "significant" injuries to his right leg.

Speaking from his office on Wednesday, Villanueva explained that the 45-year-old showed "no evidence of impairment" when he was removed from the scene of the collision.

"Are charges possible in the crash? We don't contemplate any charges whatsoever in this crash," he said.

"This remains an accident. An accident is not a crime. They do happen, unfortunately.

"Another question here. Was he drunk? He was not drunk. That is, definitely we can throw that one out. Speculation. Irresponsible.

"No, there was no evidence of any impairment. I said that yesterday. And that's just the facts all the way there.

"If there was evidence of that, well then we'd proceed with that, however, and we hold everyone accountable to the rule of law, no matter what your celebrity status is.

"But there was no evidence of that. So this is an accident. We're treating it as an accident."

Villanueva said search warrants would be required were any further investigations to take place.

"We'll assume that during the course of the treatment, they did draw blood," he said.

"And they have to do that, obviously, because he has to go into surgery and all that.

"But that's going to require a search warrant from our part to go into those details."

In regards to the phone records, he said: "We'll find out [if he was using his phone]. And I'm sure his phone records might be relevant to that itself.

"And that's going to be up to the investigators and they will require a search warrant for that."

Rory McIlroy was simply relieved Tiger Woods survived his car crash on Tuesday, rather than worrying about the future career of a golf "genius".

The 15-time major champion was involved in a single-vehicle incident that saw his car roll "several hundred feet", according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD).

The LASD said Woods was "very fortunate" to survive, although a long surgical procedure was required on his lower right leg and ankle.

Woods' team later announced the superstar golfer was "awake, responsive and recovering" following surgery as tributes poured in from around the sporting world.

The 45-year-old's PGA Tour rivals were prominent among them and McIlroy, a four-time major winner, joined the throng on Wednesday.

But discussion of how Woods, already recovering from a fifth back operation, might return to the Tour was not of immediate concern to McIlroy.

"He's not Superman," he said. "He's a human being, at the end of the day, and he's already been through so much.

"At this stage, everyone should just be grateful that he's here, that he's alive, that his kids haven't lost their dad. That's the most important thing.

"Golf is so far from the equation right now. It's not even on the map at this point.

"I think we're all sort of heading towards that day that Tiger wasn't going to be a part of the game. I'm not saying that that was soon.

"Before this accident, he was rehabbing a back injury and hopefully going to come back and play this year.

"Hopefully he comes back and is able to play, but if he's not, I think he’ll still be a part of the game in some way, whether it's obviously his design business and his foundation and hosting golf tournaments.

"It might be the end of seeing the genius at work with a club in his hand, but there's still a lot of other ways that he can affect the game in a great way."

In a Twitter post, world number one and reigning Masters champion Dustin Johnson was more open in suggesting another remarkable Tiger comeback.

Pointing to Ben Hogan, a great of the 1940s and 1950s who survived his own near-fatal car crash, Johnson wrote: "Hate to see the news about Tiger.

"Wishing him a quick recovery and a Ben Hogan style comeback. If anyone can do it, it's TW."

PGA TOUR commissioner Jay Monahan says the world will rally around Tiger Woods after the legendary golfer suffered significant leg injuries in a car accident on Tuesday.

Woods underwent extensive surgery in Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles County following a horrific single-vehicle crash.

Firefighters had to use mechanical cutters to get Woods out of the vehicle he had been travelling in after it careered up an embankment before overturning on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, near Los Angeles.

The 15-time major champion suffered compound fractures to his lower extremities, but was "awake, responsive and recovering" in his hospital room following his operation.

Monahan said at the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship on Wednesday: "As we wake up today, we are so thankful and so grateful to have read that statement last night and to know that he is going to be okay.

"All that really matters right now is his wellbeing, his recovery, his family.

"He knows he's got the support of everybody out here. The golf world will rally around him, the sporting world has rallied around him, the world will rally around him."

Monahan has been in contact with Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, but said talk of how the 45-year-old's injuries will impact his career have not been discussed so soon after the accident.

"Listen, when Tiger wants to talk about golf, we'll talk about golf, but I think right now the entirety of our efforts needs to be around the support," he added.

"When you're going to overcome what he needs to overcome, I think the love of all of our players and everybody out here, it's going to come forward in a big way and across the entire sporting world.

"I think he'll feel that energy and I think that's what we should all focus on."

Woods had been recovering after undergoing back surgery for a fifth time.

Tiger Woods is no stranger to comebacks.

Between 2014 and 2017, when an injury-plagued Woods was barely able to compete at the highest level, let alone seriously contend for honours, there were plenty of compelling storylines in golf's major championships.

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth each won two in succession to suggest a glorious new rivalry was in prospect, while the latter sensationally threw away the Masters in 2016 before producing a remarkable recovery to win the following year's Open. In addition, there were two truly memorable final-day duels, Henrik Stenson edging out Phil Mickelson to win the 2016 Open Championship and Sergio Garcia pipping Justin Rose at Augusta nine months later.

By the time Garcia finally earned major glory at the 74th attempt, it was becoming easy to view Woods' career as a top-level player in the past tense. 

Little more than a month later, the former world number one was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Florida, following an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine, and a humiliating mugshot of Woods made headlines around the world.

In light of that embarrassing episode and Woods' continued back problems, it was truly incredible to see a resurgent Tiger threaten to win two majors in 2018 before he then ended a five-year victory drought at the Tour Championship.

Yet it turned out the best was still to come. And there can be no doubt that the events of April 14, 2019 at Augusta comfortably trump all of the aforementioned major narratives. If golf was good in Woods' absence, it got a whole lot better when he returned, and the world will hope he has another comeback in him after Tuesday's car accident in Los Angeles.

In winning the Masters for a fifth time, Woods not only added the most remarkable chapter to his stunning career, but he once again proved he is the one athlete who moves the needle like no other.

While the likes of Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Tom Brady, and LeBron James are all rightly recognised as masters of their respective crafts, none of those superstars can match Woods when it comes to the impact they have on their sport.

When Woods is successful, interest in golf is taken to a whole new level, for one simple reason.

As Williams herself tweeted at the time of his Masters triumph, to watch his success was to witness "greatness like no other".

It is essentially impossible to quantify whether Messi is better than Federer, or whether Serena is superior to James, given they are competing in different fields.

Yet it is hard to envisage any active sportsperson commanding more attention than a successful Woods. More than a decade after his period of outrageous dominance in golf ended, he once again reprised his role as sport's most captivating figure, one who somehow regained a majestic aura after it appeared he was a busted flush.

When he secured victory at the 2019 Masters, it felt like the whole world was watching, and doubtless they are watching now – hoping for another miracle comeback.

Tiger Woods is "awake, responsive and recovering" following a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle after Tuesday's near-fatal car crash.

Woods was "very fortunate" to survive a single-car accident in California that left the 15-time major champion with serious leg injuries and question marks hanging over his career.

The 45-year-old American superstar underwent emergency surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center – where a rod was inserted into his tibia, while screws and pins were used to stabilise his foot and ankle – after an early morning crash that saw his car roll "several hundred feet", according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Woods, who had to be pulled from his vehicle with specialist equipment and an axe, was already recovering from back surgery ahead of April's Masters at Augusta.

"We thank everyone for the overwhelming support and messages during this tough time," a statement read via Woods' official Twitter account.

"As previously communicated, Tiger was involved in a single-car accident earlier this morning in California. He has undergone a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle after being brought into hospital.

"He is currently awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room. Thank you to the wonderful doctors and hospital staff at Habor-UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Fire Department. Your support and assistance have been outstanding.

"There are no further updates at this time and we continue to thank you for your well-wishes and privacy for him and his family."

Chief medical officer and interim CEO at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Anish Mahajan added: "Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by Orthopaedic trauma specialists at Harbour-UCLA Medical Center, a level one trauma center.

"Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilised with a combination of screws and pins.

"Trauma to the muscle and soft-tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to the swelling."

Spanish star Jon Rahm said he hopes Tiger Woods "can still play with his kids and have a normal life" after the golf great was involved in a single-car crash.

Woods was "very fortunate" to survive a car crash in California on Tuesday that left the 15-time major champion with serious leg injuries and question marks hanging over his career.

The 45-year-old American superstar underwent surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after an early morning crash that saw his car roll "several hundred feet", according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Woods, who had to be pulled from his vehicle with specialist equipment and an axe, was already recovering from back surgery ahead of April's Masters at Augusta.

His career has been hampered by a long-standing back issue, which has required five procedures in recent years.

Rahm reacted to the news as shockwaves were sent through the golf and sport's world amid reports of  compound fractures to both legs.

"As if his body hasn't endured enough," Rahm said as he prepares for Thursday's WGC-Workday Championship.

"Just hoping out of a bad situation, the best possible outcome, and I hope he can recover from it and we can see him on the golf course as early as possible.

"I know he underwent surgery early this year, so I hope he didn't damage anything he had done already.

"I just hope he can get out of the hospital after recovery and he can still play with his kids and have a normal life."

Tony Finau – also gearing up for the WGC event at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida – was part of the Woods-led United States team that defeated the Internationals at the 2019 Presidents Cup in Melbourne.

"He means a lot to the game of golf," Finau said. "I've said it I think time after time, the '97 Masters changed the course of my life.

"Without that event I probably wouldn’t be here, I wouldn't be playing golf, so he definitely changed the course of my life, my career. I think I'm one of hundreds of guys out here probably that would say the same thing.

"We all know he's a strong cookie physically, mentally, so if someone's going to get through this, he will and be back for the better, I'm sure. My thoughts and prayers I'm sure, as all the players, I can speak on their behalf, are with Tiger."

Tiger Woods was taken to hospital with "multiple leg injuries" sustained in a car crash in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Woods was the sole occupant of a vehicle which rolled over on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Mark Steinberg – the 15-time major champion's agent – confirmed Woods underwent surgery following the accident.

Woods was already recovering from his latest back surgery ahead of April's Masters, a long-standing issue requiring five procedures in recent years.

The 45-year-old American superstar has enjoyed a remarkable career, winning 82 PGA Tour titles among other honours.

Stats Perform News looks at Woods' greatest moments.


Mastering Augusta

Having turned professional a year earlier, Woods – an already prodigious talent – earned the first of his major titles in sensational fashion at the Masters in 1997.

A record low score of 270 (later matched by Jordan Spieth), the biggest margin of victory at Augusta (12 shots) and the youngest Masters champion. Not bad going for a 21-year-old.


Gutsing it out against Garcia

Two years on and along came another player tipped for golfing superstardom in Sergio Garcia.

A 19-year-old Garcia, who started the final round of the US PGA Championship two shots adrift of Woods and Mike Weir, threatened to derail his rival's hopes of a second major by moving into a one-shot lead.

But Woods, not for the first time, pulled out all the stops – including a stunning escape from behind a tree en route to glory at Medinah.


Making history at Pebble Beach

By 2000, Woods' star was approaching its zenith and at that year's U.S. Open he produced the most dominant performance in major history.

Not only was his 15-stroke margin of victory the largest ever in one of golf's premier strokeplay events, he was the only player that weekend at Pebble Beach to finish under par.


Grand Slam complete

Just a month later and Woods was in dominant form again as he triumphed by eight shots to win The Open at St Andrews.

Of even more significance, the victory saw Woods become the fifth player to achieve the career Grand Slam and, at the age of 24, he was the youngest to do so.


Completing the 'Tiger Slam'

The accolades just kept on rolling and, by the following March, Woods achieved something no other player has done before or since.

By winning the Masters, Woods was in possession of all four major titles. As he did not do so in the same year, it was not recognised as a single-season Grand Slam, thus it became dubbed the 'Tiger Slam'.


That shot at Augusta

By going almost three years without winning one of golf's big four, Woods, by his own remarkable standards, suffered something of a drought during the mid-noughties.

But that changed at a dramatic 2005 Masters. Starting three shots ahead of Chris DiMarco on the Sunday, Woods endured a mixed round but pulled clear with one of the greatest moments in the tournament's illustrious history.

A chip from behind the green began well left of the pin, turned at 90 degrees and rolled towards the hole. Agonisingly, the ball stopped on the edge of the cup before dropping in after what felt like a lifetime.

Woods went on to bogey the next two holes, but eventually triumphed via a play-off.


An emotional Open victory

Woods went through personal tragedy in May 2006 after his father Earl passed away. 

Following the loss of his father, Woods played a reduced schedule but held off a star-studded cast – again including DiMarco – to win by two shots at The Open.

There were tears aplenty, not just from Woods, after the most emotional of victories.


Memorable Mediate battle

The most unlikely of Woods' 15 major victories, at least until this week, came when he somehow won the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines despite being hampered by serious injuries to his left leg.

What is more, Woods even came through a 19-hole play-off with Rocco Mediate, an incredible feat given his lack of fitness. He took the rest of the year off after prevailing.


80 not out

Many, including Woods himself, questioned if he would play again, let alone win again, as he struggled badly with a succession of back injuries in recent years.

Yet you can never write off a competitor like Tiger and he ended a five-year winning drought in style at East Lake, sealing his 80th PGA Tour victory at the 2018 Tour Championship.

 

Five times a Master

If returning to the winner's circle was phenomenal enough, Woods was not finished there.

After contending at the U.S. Open and US PGA Championship in 2018, he sensationally won the Masters for a fifth time on Sunday, coming from behind for the first time in the final round of a major.

Francesco Molinari was two clear with 18 - and seven - to play, but the day belonged to Woods as he triumphed to spark jubilant celebrations.

 

Tiger matches Snead

He secured a record-equalling 82nd PGA Tour crown after winning the Zozo Championship in October 2019.

Woods sealed an historic three-stroke win to draw level with Sam Snead for the most victories on Tour.

Tiger Woods was "very fortunate" to survive a car crash in California that left the golf superstar with serious leg injuries and question marks hanging over his career.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) deputy Carlos Gonzalez said Woods was wearing a seatbelt that may have saved his life.

The 15-time major winner underwent surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after an early morning crash that saw his car roll "several hundred feet", according to LASD sheriff Alex Villanueva.

Deputy Gonzalez arrived at the scene at 07:18 local time, six minutes after an emergency call came in, and said he spoke to Woods who was "calm and lucid".

He had to be pulled from his car, a new Genesis SUV, with specialist equipment and an axe required to get full access to the 45-year-old.

Deputy Gonzalez said: "The nature of his vehicle, and the fact he was wearing a seatbelt, greatly increased the likelihood that it saved his life.

"I will say it's very fortunate that Mr Woods was able to come out of this alive."

CNN reported Woods has suffered compound fractures to both legs, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Explaining the situation that he came across, Deputy Gonzalez said Woods was trapped inside his vehicle but conscious, adding: "I asked him what his name was; he told me his name was Tiger and at that moment I immediately recognised him."

The incident occurred on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, with Woods travelling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard, at Blackhorse Road.

Deputy Gonzalez said the location was a "hot spot for traffic collisions as well as speed"; however, he did not say Woods had been speeding.

Sheriff Villanueva said the deputies that responded to the crash "did not see any sign of impairment, anything of concern".

Speaking at a news conference, he added that Woods' vehicle had "travelled several hundred feet from the centre divider of the intersection and rested on the west side of the road, in the brush".

It had sustained "major damage", he added. US television networks showed video of the crash scene, which showed a car on its side.

Sheriff Villanueva said there would be a traffic investigation that "will take days to several weeks to get the whole thing together".

He said the circumstances may indicate the car was "going at a relatively greater speed than normal", explaining Woods "hit a curve, hit a tree and there were several rollovers in that process".

Five-time Masters champion Woods underwent surgery on his "multiple" injuries, agent Mark Steinberg confirmed.

Sheriff Villanueva spoke of the damage to the car, and how Woods might have lost his life.

He said: "The front end was totally destroyed, bumpers, everything destroyed, airbags deployed, all of that.

"Thankfully the interior was more or less intact, which kind of gave him the cushion to survive what otherwise would have been a fatal crash."

Jack Nicklaus, the only man to win more majors than Tiger Woods, was shaken by the news of his fellow American golf great's car crash.

Nicklaus reacted on Tuesday to news coming out of California that Woods had been taken to hospital and then to surgery after suffering serious leg injuries.

The 18-time major winner said he hoped Woods would soon be back to full health.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the single-car crash shortly after 07:00 local time.

Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, said the 45-year-old suffered "multiple" Injuries to his legs. The cause of the crash was not initially clear.

Nicklaus and wife Barbara expressed worry about Woods, who won his 15th major at the 2019 Masters, his first victory of such magnitude in 11 years.

The 81-year-old Nicklaus wrote on Twitter: "Barbara and I just heard about Tiger's accident, and like everyone else, we are deeply concerned.

"We want to offer him our heartfelt support and prayers at this difficult time. Please join us in wishing Tiger a successful surgery and all the best for a full recovery."

Augusta National, home to The Masters, a tournament that Woods has won five times, called the news of his accident and hospitalisation "upsetting".

In a statement posted to Twitter, club chairman Fred Ridley said: "Tiger Woods is part of the Augusta National family, and the news of his accident is upsetting to all of us. We pray for him, for his full recovery and for his family during this difficult time."
 

Tiger Woods was in hospital with serious leg injuries after a car crash on Tuesday that sent shockwaves through golf.

The 15-time major winner had to be rescued from his vehicle early in the California morning after coming off the road and overturning.

He was taken to surgery as the sporting world waited for updates on his condition.

Woods' close friend Justin Thomas said: "I'm sick to my stomach. You know, it hurts to see one of my closest friends get in an accident. Man, I just hope he's all right. Just worry for his kids, you know. I'm sure they're struggling."

Australia's former world number one Adam Scott added: "It's sickening. He's our hero out here. You think guys like Tiger and Kobe Bryant are untouchable, but they're not. I just hope he's all right."

Woods' former partner Lindsey Vonn added: "Praying for TW right now."

Basketball great Magic Johnson called for a rush of goodwill towards the 45-year-old, saying: "Everyone send your prayers out to Tiger Woods! He was just in a bad car accident. Let us all pray for his speedy recovery."

The shock among PGA Tour stars was telling of the esteem in which they hold Woods.

Bryson DeChambeau said he was "heartbroken and shocked", while Justin Rose addressed Woods as he wrote on Twitter: "Just seen the awful news. We know how tough you are, we've seen it a hundred times. Hoping and praying you're ok my friend."

Ian Poulter said: "Thoughts are with @TigerWoods and others involved, wishing a speedy recovery and I hope the injuries are not bad."

Xander Schauffele, quoted on the PGA Tour website, said: "My putting coach called me and told me. The volunteer who gave me a ride showed me a picture of it, and I read they used the jaws of life.

"The mood has been very quiet, I'd say. Everyone I've talked to has been in a strange mood due to the news. I was talking to my caddie about the impact he's had on the game of golf. It's not good for us, not good for the game of golf. All we can do is hope that he's fine and has a speedy recovery."

Baseball great Alex Rodriguez wrote: "Praying for my brother @TigerWoods as we all anxiously await more news. Thinking of him and his entire family."

Tiger Woods was undergoing surgery on "multiple leg injuries" after being cut out of a car crash in California on Tuesday.

The golf superstar was taken to hospital by ambulance, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) said.

US television networks showed footage of the crash location, with the car Woods was said to have been driving on its side and in a crumpled state.

He is said to have been the sole occupant of the vehicle which rolled over on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.

Hydraulic rescue tools had to be utilised by firefighters to allow Woods to be freed from the vehicle.

Woods' agent Mark Steinberg said, according to Golf Digest: "Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support."

The LASD statement read: "On February 23, 2021, at approximately 7:12 AM, LASD responded to a single vehicle roll-over traffic collision on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.

"The vehicle was travelling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard, at Blackhorse Road, when it crashed. The vehicle sustained major damage.

"The driver and sole occupier of was identified as PGA golfer, Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods. 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 traffic investigation is being conducted by investigators from LASD Lomita Station."

There was immediate concern for Woods, a 15-time major winner and the greatest player of his generation, throughout the golfing world.

The PGA Tour issued a statement that read: "We have been made aware of Tiger Woods' car accident today. We are awaiting further information when he comes out of surgery.

"On behalf of the PGA Tour and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers."

There was no immediate word from authorities about the possible cause of the crash.

Woods had back surgery to relieve a pressurised disc fragment in January.

The 45-year-old recovered from spinal fusion surgery in 2017 to win the Masters – his fifth title at Augusta – in 2019.

On Sunday, CBS asked Woods about his chances of playing in this year's edition of the tournament.

"I hope so, I'm feeling fine - I'm a little stiff," Woods said. "I have one more MRI scheduled so we'll see then if I can start doing more activities.

"I'm still in the gym, still doing the mundane stuff that you have to do for rehab; the little things where I can start gravitating toward something more."

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