Tiger Woods hurt in car crash

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The AP first reported that Tiger Woods drove his Cadillac S.U.V. into a fire hydrant and a tree after pulling out of his driveway in suburban Florida last night at 2:25 A.M. Preliminary reports said Woods sustained “serious injuries.” Charges may be filed in the case, though police say the accident is not alcohol-related. Other reports say that Woods’ face sustained some sort of injury.

The golfer has now been released from the hospital, and his publicist now says that his injuries are “minor.” The question on everybody’s mind today seems to be whether this crash will affect Woods’ amazing career. If so, he’ll forever be regarded as the man who was probably history’s best golfer, but who did not go on to best Jack Nicklaus’ record for major tournament victories. Since turning pro, Woods has won 71 PGA tour events, 14 of them majors.

Perhaps his most astonishing achievement, however, was getting people like me to actually pay any attention whatsoever to the game of golf. He took what seemed like a pretty boring spectator sport and made it captivating. In fact, when Woods played on the tour, he doubled television rankings. Tournaments that were lucky enough to secure his participation could count on crowds never before seen in events he had not played in before. And, so often, he gave the fans what they were hoping to see: a Woods victory.

For this reason alone, the entire golf world (as well as a few television networks) is holding its collective breath and hoping this turns out to be something that a few stitches will fix. Woods was scheduled to host his own tournament in Florida starting Monday.