Tiger Woods Update: Golfer Didn’t Remember Crash, Road To Return Could Be Long

More details have emerged in the immediate aftermath of Tiger Woods’ Feb. 23 car crash. Woods was initially unconscious and didn’t remember driving when police arrived on the scene of the single-car crash along Hawthorne Boulevard near Los Angeles, according to an affidavit for a search warrant used to retrieve the vehicle’s black box.

The affidavit, which was obtained by USA TODAY Sports, noted that Woods was found with blood on his face and chin at the crash site. He told sheriff’s deputies that he had no memory of the crash. Woods was rushed to the hospital, where he again said he didn’t recall driving.

“The deputies asked him how the collision occurred” at the scene of the crash, according to the affidavit. “Driver said he did not know and did not even remember driving... Driver was treated for his injuries at the hospital and was asked there again how the collision occurred. He repeated that he did not know and did not remember driving.”

Woods was in shock but knew his name when police arrived on the scene. He suffered serious injuries to his legs and underwent surgery that day at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Woods had a rod inserted into his right leg after suffering open fractures affecting his tibia and fibula bones.

The black box will give authorities more information about the crash. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has said it doesn’t consider the matter to be a criminal investigation, and Woods showed no signs of being impaired after the crash.

“We’re looking at signs of impairment under the influence of either narcotics, medication, alcohol, odor of alcohol, all these different things that would give you an idea and their behavior,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a press conference on the afternoon of the crash. “But there was none, none present.”

On the day of the crash, there was rampant speculation and worry about Woods’ health. More than a week removed from what could’ve been a more tragic accident, there are questions about the 45-year-old’s golf career.

It’s unknown when, or if, Woods will golf professionally again. The only thing that does appear likely is he won’t compete on the PGA Tour anytime soon.

Doctors who have not examined Woods say he faces a long road to recovery based on his injuries and surgery.

Prior to the crash, Woods was hoping to return to the course at the Masters in April. He hasn’t competed in 2021 because of his fifth back surgery in seven years.

Woods had returned from serious surgeries before to win on the biggest stage, winning the Masters in 2019.