[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods was involved in a car rollover accident and was urgently transported to the hospital for emergency leg surgery. The vehicle Woods was riding in was a Genesis GV80. A local sheriff explained, "The interior of the car acted as a cushion, preventing fatal injuries."
According to local media such as CNN, at around 7:15 a.m. on the 23rd (local time), Woods was involved in an accident in Los Angeles (LA) County, California, and was taken to the hospital where he is undergoing surgery for a complex leg fracture. Woods was alone in the vehicle when the collision occurred, after which the car rolled off the road. The LA County sheriff reportedly used hydraulic vehicle cutting equipment to rescue Woods from the wrecked vehicle.
Alex Villanueva, sheriff of LA County, explained at a press conference that the interior of the vehicle Woods was in was almost undamaged, which helped prevent fatal injuries. He stated, "The front part was completely destroyed, but the interior was relatively intact, and the airbags deployed," adding, "The interior of the vehicle acted as a cushion for survival." Woods was also wearing a seatbelt. Regarding the cause of the accident, it is presumed that the vehicle was speeding on a downhill curve.
The accident area is known for frequent car accidents. Judging from the accident scene, it is understood that the car had enough acceleration to fly a considerable distance off the road. Authorities stated there was no sign that Woods attempted to slow down the vehicle. There were no tire marks indicating braking at the scene. Sheriff Villanueva assessed that the GV80 vehicle Woods was in crossed into the opposite lane, collided with a curb and a tree, and rolled over multiple times.
Woods' vehicle accident received intense attention from the U.S. media that day. The U.S. media even deployed helicopters to cover the incident, focusing heavily on Woods' crashed vehicle. The Associated Press reported, "The vehicle appears to have airbag devices, and the wreckage is scattered on a hillside beside the road," adding, "The exact extent of Woods' injuries has not been disclosed."
Woods has not participated in an official tournament for three months since the Masters in November last year. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation after recent back surgery. Jared Pellet, spokesperson for the U.S. Genesis brand, expressed regret over the accident, stating, "We are very sorry that Woods was involved in an accident while riding in the GV80," and added, "We will pray for Woods and his family."
Last week, the PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) Tour tournament '2021 Genesis Invitational' was held at Riviera Country Club in California. Hyundai Motor's Genesis brand was the title sponsor. The 2021 Genesis Invitational featured a total prize money of $9.5 million, with the winner receiving approximately $1.7 million and awarded a Genesis SUV GV80 as a prize. At the time, Hyundai issued a press release stating, "Through sponsoring tournaments like this, Genesis supports the development of golf domestically and internationally, while strengthening its position as a luxury brand in the global market."
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