Tiger Woods 'awake, responsive' after surgeries following car crash

Golf star Tiger Woods is "awake, responsive and recovering" following multiple surgeries on his leg after a car accident, according to a statement posted to his Twitter page.

The 45-year-old was involved in a "single vehicle roll-over traffic collision" near the town of Rancho Palos Verdes near the suburban communities of Rolling Hills Estates.

Woods' vehicle swerved into the roadside curb, struck a tree, and "there were several rollovers" before the SUV came to rest, Villanueva said. The sheriff said the stretch of roadway, known for its sloping terrain and curves, "has a high frequency of accidents."

There was no evidence of impairment when Woods was assessed by emergency workers at the scene, and that no blood samples were drawn by investigators after he was rushed by ambulance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at a press conference.

Sheriff's deputy Carlos Gonzales, who was the first to reach the wreck, described Woods, who was wearing his seatbelt, as "calm and lucid," and said he recognized the golfing great after Woods told the officer his name was "Tiger."

The vehicle sustained major damage and Woods was extricated from the wreck with the "jaws of life" by firefighters and paramedics, then transported to a local hospital by ambulance, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

Woods, 45, who has endured a series of back and knee injuries in recent years, is considered the greatest golfer of his generation. He is the only modern pro to win all four major golf titles in succession, taking the US Open, British Open and PGA Championship in 2000 and the Masters title in 2001, a feat that became known a the Tiger Slam.

Woods suffered serious injuries to both legs in Tuesday's wreck and was initially listed in serious but stable condition, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby told reporters. CNN reported Woods sustained compound fractures to his legs.