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Tiger's accident 'minor', in good shape
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-28 08:41 NEW YORK - Golf superstar Tiger Woods's car accident in Florida on Friday was a "minor one" and now is in " good conditions", CNN reported quoting a statement released from the Woods' office.
CNN reported quoting a statement released from the Woods' office that "it's a minor accident and Woods is in good conditions after receiving treatment in the hospital." According to the statement, Woods has been released from the hospital. Florida Highway Patrol says charges are pending. A Florida newspaper early reported Woods was "seriously injured " in a car accident outside his home in Orlando for the best golfer and a leading force in sports marketing on Friday. A local mayor said he had been released from hospital. "Basically it was facial lacerations, and as I'm understanding it, nothing that serious," Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn told CNN. " He was taken to Health Central hospital, where he was treated, and then I've been told he was released." The Orlando Sentinel, citing the Florida Highway Patrol, said Woods' car struck a fire hydrant and a tree in Florida's Isleworth community, near Orlando. Woods, 33, was transported to a hospital in Ocoee in serious condition, the newspaper said, citing the FHP. Woods is one of the world's richest athletes and the biggest draw on the PGA tour. He has triumphed 71 times on the tour and has won 14 majors in his glittering career. He returned to action in February this year after being sidelined for eight months due to reconstructive knee surgery and finished on top of the FedEx Cup standings for the season. The Sentinel said the accident happened at about 2:25 a.m. as Woods pulled his Cadillac Escalade out of his driveway. The newspaper said the airbags in the vehicle did not deploy. The FHP said the crash was under investigation and charges are pending, the newspaper reported. Woods is the greatest golfer of his generation and arguably the best of all time. He trails his childhood idol Jack Nicklaus by just four majors in all-time standings. Forbes magazine said earlier this year that Woods was on course to become the first billionaire athlete, largely due to his lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Buick, Gillette and Gatorade. Forbes said Woods is the highest earner in sports with 110 million dollars during the previous 12 months, two and a half times that of his nearest competitor. His impact on the sport has gone beyond his performances and earnings. As a player of mixed ethnic descent -- his father was an African-American and his mother from Thailand -- he is credited with broadening the appeal of the game. Woods is scheduled to host his annual Chevron World Challenge tournament in Thousand Oaks, California, next week, starting on Thursday. Born in Cypress, California, Woods was destined for golf stardom when he won three consecutive U.S. junior titles and three successive U.S. amateur championships before turning pro in late 1996. He had swift success as a pro, becoming with youngest winner of the Masters tournament at Augusta National in 1997. His victory margin of 12 shots was the biggest in the tournament's history.
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