Tiger Woods Says Rehab From Car Crash ‘Painful’, Focusing on Walking on His Own

Tiger Woods Says Rehab From Car Crash ‘Painful’, Focusing on Walking on His Own
Tiger Woods on the 4th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on Nov. 15, 2020.(Mike Segar/Reuters)
Reuters
5/27/2021
Updated:
5/27/2021

Tiger Woods described his recovery from a car crash that left him with career-threatening injuries as more painful than anything he has experienced and said his focus is on being able to walk on his own again.

Woods, speaking in a Golf Digest interview published on Thursday, is no stranger to rehabilitation procedures after having several back and knee surgeries but admitted his latest recovery was unlike any he has undergone before.

“This has been an entirely different animal,” Woods, 45, said in the interview published on Thursday. “I understand more of the rehab processes because of my past injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced.”

Woods was driving above the speed limit in February when he lost control of his vehicle, which crossed through oncoming lanes of traffic before slamming into trees off the side of a road outside Los Angeles.

The vehicle of golfer Tiger Woods, who was rushed to hospital after suffering multiple injuries, lies on its side after being involved in a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2021. (KNBC via Reuters)
The vehicle of golfer Tiger Woods, who was rushed to hospital after suffering multiple injuries, lies on its side after being involved in a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2021. (KNBC via Reuters)
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies inspect the vehicle of golfer Tiger Woods, who was rushed to hospital after suffering multiple injuries, after it was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on Feb. 23, 2021. (Gene Blevins/Reuters)
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies inspect the vehicle of golfer Tiger Woods, who was rushed to hospital after suffering multiple injuries, after it was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on Feb. 23, 2021. (Gene Blevins/Reuters)

The 15-times major champion, whose accident resulted in a three-week hospital stay, posted a photo on Instagram last month that showed him smiling, on crutches and in a walking boot.

When asked about his hopes of playing golf again, Woods said he was focused on rehabilitation at his South Florida home.

“My physical therapy has been keeping me busy,” said Woods, the most successful golfer of his generation. “I do my routines every day and am focused on my No. 1 goal right now: walking on my own. Taking it one step at a time.”

By Frank Pingue