Woods injured in auto accident

Golf: The initial media reports that instantly spread around the globe sounded dire: Tiger Woods had been “seriously” hurt in a car accident early Friday and was hospitalized.

It turned out that the superstar golfer’s injuries, first reported by the Orlando Sentinel, were not as dreadful as the word “serious” implied in the police report. But as additional details emerged, it appeared Woods certainly suffered more than a fender bender.

Woods, 33, was backing out of his driveway in the Isleworth community near Orlando, Fla., at 2:25 a.m. EST when he struck a fire hydrant and then hit a neighbor’s tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

It is still unknown why Woods was out driving at that hour, and much about the incident remains unclear.

After the first news reports about the accident, Woods’ Web site in the afternoon issued a statement saying he was in “good condition” after being treated and released from a hospital.

The Associated Press later Friday quoted a local police chief as saying Woods’ wife, Elin, used a golf club to smash the back window and get Woods out of his 2009 Cadillac sports utility vehicle after she heard the accident.

Woods had cuts to his lips, blood in his mouth and was lying in the street, with his wife nearby, and was in and out of consciousness when officers arrived, Windermere Police Chief Daniel Saylor said.

FHP spokeswoman Kim Montes said troopers arrived at the Woods’ home early Friday evening to talk to the golfer, and that his wife told them Woods was resting and asked them to return today. The troopers agreed.

The FHP’s news release said alcohol was not considered a factor in the accident.

Woods is scheduled to host a four-day tournament Thursday in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Los Angeles Times

Florida denies Izzo milestone

College basketball: Erving Walker hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:56 left and Florida (5-0) hung on to upset No. 2 Michigan State 77-74 on Friday night in the Legends Classic in Atlantic City, N.J.

The Spartans (4-1) missed their chance to give coach Tom Izzo a record 341 victories at the school. Izzo will get another chance today to pass mentor and predecessor Jud Heathcote, who was inducted last Sunday into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame.

Associated Press