'Remarkable' Tiger Woods gesture captures world's attention
The Saint Andrews Links golf course holds a special place in Tiger Woods' heart so it was only fitting that 'the home of golf' paid a special tribute to the 45-year-old after the horrific car crash that left him in hospital.
Woods was driving alone through a sweeping, downhill stretch of road through coastal suburbs of Los Angeles on Tuesday when his SUV struck a sign, crossed over two oncoming lanes and flipped several times before coming to rest on its side, its airbags deployed.
'CRUSHING NEWS': Fears for Tiger Woods after latest update
'WASN'T AWARE': Startling new claim about Tiger Woods crash
'SICK': Sporting world reacts to shocking Tiger Woods crash
Authorities say the golfing great was "lucky to be alive" after he was swiftly taken to hospital to undergo what was described as a "long surgical procedure" at Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre.
News of the terrifying crash and the horrific injuries that Woods suffered as a result, have sent shockwaves through the sporting world.
Concerned fans have been inundating social media with messages of support for the golfing great, with tributes pouring in across the world.
None, however, are quite as spectacular as that seen at Saint Andrews in Scotland - where Woods famously triumphed in the 2000 and 2005 Open Championship.
A tribute to Tiger Woods at St. Andrews today.
(📷: @RLOIII) pic.twitter.com/RNnL2cY47f— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) February 24, 2021
Artist Robert Lloyd Ogle III has gone to painstaking detail to carve out a giant representation of Tiger's trademark symbol in an area of sand just off the side of the Old Course.
The stunning sand sculpture - which must have taken the artist many hours to create - also contains a message of support for the 45-year-old.
"Thoughts and prayers," the message simply reads alongside the golfer's iconic 'TW' logo.
Drone footage shows the extraordinary piece of artwork from various angles, with fans blown away by the incredible gesture.
Sand art by Rob for Tiger by The Old Course pic.twitter.com/ajd79jJxJP
— Lurch (@BarstoolLurch) February 24, 2021
Well done St. Andrews. Beautiful. Get well soon Tiger.
— Kathleen Morgan (@beacher61) February 24, 2021
Recover soon Tiger! There are more of us who love and pray for you than the haters who will try to exploit this accident. Stay blessed! Tiger Woods tribute scrawled in St. Andrews sand after crash https://t.co/fN6nEx81It
— Otis Courtney (@otislc38) February 24, 2021
Respect from St Andrews!
Thoughts and Prayers for Tiger Woods 🙏🙏https://t.co/sDHb3tF14q— John Mark (@JohnMark88) February 24, 2021
Incredible tribute to Tiger at St. Andrews, the home of golf, today.
The entire sports world is united in wishing him a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/wscklLJxr3— Daniel Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) February 24, 2021
Remarkable sand art in St Andrews today in support of Tiger Woods.
Lovely touch ❤️
(Credit: @RLOIII) pic.twitter.com/iSSd5smlHD— bunkered (@BunkeredOnline) February 24, 2021
Unbelievable sand art today at St Andrews in support of Tiger Woods ⛱
Great to see the whole golf community coming together.
Thoughts are with TW at this time. Hopefully we can see the big cat compete again. 🐅🙏#PGATour #TigerWoods #ESPN pic.twitter.com/10C3N7wYSu— Golf Discount (@GolfDiscount) February 24, 2021
While the sporting world prays for Woods' speedy recovery, the nature of his latest injuries have many feeling that it could spell the end of his storied career.
A statement on his Twitter account said Woods was awake, responsive and recovering, while detailing the extensive procedures that he had to undergo.
Fears for Tiger's career after latest injuries
“Mr Woods suffered significant orthopaedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery,” Dr Anish Mahajan said.
“Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilised with a combination of screws and pins.
“Trauma to the muscle and soft tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling.”
Two leading medical specialists in the United States insist there is no chance Woods will be right to play the Masters in April, with one claiming it will be a "challenge for him to walk properly".
“There’s no way he’s making the Masters in April, zero chance,” said Dr. William Ricci, the chief of orthopaedic trauma at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery. “Masters next April? Maybe.”
Dr. Andrew Brief, an orthopaedic surgeon with the Ridgewood orthopaedic Group in New Jersey said: "“You’re talking about the foot, ankle, leg, tibia. “It could conceivably be a challenge to walk properly, let alone return to professional sports."
He added that Woods' extensive back problems from multiple surgeries complicate things even further.
“When you couple the fact that he sustained some sort of devastating injury to the right leg, on top of his continued need for recovery from five times having had lumbar spine surgery, his ability to predictably return to an elite level in professional sports is certainly in question,” Brief said.
Woods has already undergone five back surgeries, with his latest one coming just last month.
He has also had multiple surgeries for knee problems, a torn Achilles and injuries to his calf, neck and shoulder.
Now it's no longer a matter of when the 15-time major winner plays again - with the Masters just seven weeks away - but if he plays again.
with agencies
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.