Golf: Tiger Woods makes first public statement after horror car crash

Tiger Woods has made his first public comments since undergoing major surgery to treat horror leg injuries. Photo / Photosport

Tiger Woods has taken to Twitter to thank his fellow golfers for showing their support by donning red and black in honour of the golf star after his shocking car crash last week.

In his first public comments since undergoing major surgery to treat horror leg injuries sustained when his car rolled off a highway in Los Angeles, the 45-year-old said how much it meant to see such a touching tribute as he begins his long road to recovery.

"It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts," Woods tweeted. "To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time."

Throughout his career, Woods has famously worn a red shirt and black pants on the final day of a tournament. On Sunday (US time), pros including Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson were among those who kitted up in red and black for the final 18 holes at the Concession Club in Florida for the $13m Workday Championships.

Tommy Fleetwood, right, of England, watches as Cameron Champ lines up a putt on the 10th green during the final round of the Workday Championship. Photo / AP

McIlroy said it was a way for the players to let Woods know "that we're thinking about him and we're rooting for him".

"Obviously things are looking a little better today than they were on Tuesday, but he's still got aways to go," McIlroy said after finishing in a tie for sixth.

"He's got a huge recovery ahead of him. But I think just for everyone to show their appreciation for what he means to us out here.

"If there was no Tiger Woods, there would be — I just think the Tour and the game of golf in general 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."

On the weekend, Woods' team announced he was recovering after a successful second round of surgery. The sports icon was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles from Harbor UCLA Medical Centre, where he underwent surgery for gruesome leg injuries — including a shattered ankle and two leg fractures — on Tuesday.

"The procedures were successful, and he is now recovering and in good spirits," a brief statement said on Saturday.

"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."

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.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 1, 2021

Woods will avoid charges after Sheriff Alex Villanueva said there was no indication he was impaired by alcohol or any other substances at the time of the incident.

"He was lucid, no odour of alcohol, no evidence of any medication, narcotics or anything like that," Villanueva said. "That was not a concern so no field sobriety test and no drug expert needed to respond. This is what it is — an accident.

"We don't contemplate any charges whatsoever in this crash."

After the crash, Dr Anish Mahajan, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Interim CEO of Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre, detailed the shocking extent of Woods' injuries and what was necessary to repair them.

"Mr Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by orthopaedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre, a level 1 trauma centre," Dr Mahajan said.

"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 boot 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 swelling."