Outrage over reporter's 'disgusting' comment after Tiger Woods crash

American TV anchor Andy Scholes has been forced to apologise after widespread backlash to his comments about Tiger Woods' crash.

Woods suffered severe leg injuries on Tuesday after a horror car crash in Los Angeles.

'CRUSHING NEWS': Fears for Tiger Woods' career after update

'WASN'T AWARE': Startling new claim about Tiger Woods crash

The 45-year-old was driving alone through a sweeping, downhill stretch of road through coastal suburbs when his SUV struck a sign, crossed over two oncoming lanes and flipped several times before coming to rest on its side.

Reporting for CNN in the immediate aftermath of the crash, Scholes said Woods' crash was "not entirely surprising", referencing past incidents and his subsequent use of pain killers.

“Tiger back in 2017 was found by police pulled over on the side of the road, asleep in his car,” Scholes said.

“He said he had taken a lot of painkillers at that time, because we all know Tiger’s undergone a lot of surgeries over the years, and painkillers have become a part of his life.”

Woods had a fifth back surgery in December - a microdiscectomy - just three days after he played the PNC Championship with his son Charlie, who now is 12.

After widespread condemnation on social media, Scholes later apologised.

“Really sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way,” Scholes tweeted in response to criticism.

“I’m sorry. This was delivered poorly.”

Some described Scholes' words as "disgusting" and "dangerous".

Tiger Woods' gruesome injuries after crash

The crash caused "significant" injuries to Woods' right leg and he underwent what was described as a "long surgical procedure" at Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre.

Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer, said Woods shattered tibia and fibula bones in multiple locations.

He suffered "open fractures," meaning the skin was broken.

The bones were stabilised by a rod in the tibia. He said a combination of screws and pins were used for injuries in the ankle and foot.

A statement on Woods' Twitter account said he was awake, responsive and recovering.

"I will say that it's very fortunate that Mr. Woods was able to come out of this alive," said Carlos Gonzalez, the deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department who was the first on the scene.

This is the third time Woods has been involved in a car investigation.

His personal life imploded on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 when he was caught having multiple extramarital affairs and crashed his vehicle near his Florida home.

Eight years after the 2009 incident, Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car parked awkwardly on the side of the road.

He was arrested on a DUI charge and said he had an unexpected reaction to prescription medicine for his back pain.

Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and checked into a clinic to get help with prescription medication and a sleep disorder.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.