Tiger Wood’s moments before and after his car accident changed everything for him, plus how his friendship with Golfer Justin Thomas plays in.
The following written content by Bob Harig and Ramona Shelburne
THE DINNER INVITATION came in as Justin Thomas was already on his way home.
He’d played poorly and missed the cut at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles on Feb. 19.
Tiger Woods had been flying from Florida to Los Angeles, and if Thomas were still in town, the two friends would’ve likely met that night or at some point that weekend to catch up.
But this wasn’t a real dinner invitation. Woods knew Thomas had missed the cut and was already on his way home to Florida. Woods just couldn’t resist the chance to rub it in.
Yes, Woods, 45, is nearly two decades older than Thomas. But that’s the role Woods has come to play on tour in recent years. Part icon, part older brother — an equal-opportunity needler. And this was a good one.
But what could Thomas say? There would be another time to take his shots and get back at Tiger.
It’s always assumed there will be a next time between friends on the PGA Tour. For dinner, for a round of golf or just to catch up.
That was shattered in an instant on the morning of Feb. 23 when Woods’ car sped down a winding hill, crossed over the median into oncoming traffic, rolled over several times and crashed head-on into the sign welcoming residents and visitors to Rolling Hills Estates and then a tree.
The front of his car was crushed. So were his lower legs.
A neighbor heard the crash and called 911.
The first officer to reach Woods after the accident found him alert, but in shock. He knew his name, but not the extent of what had happened. Read more from ESPN.
