Tiger Woods

Woods, 45, has told Golf Digest the injuries he suffered to his right leg and foot when he crashed his car in February that he is accepting the "unfortunate reality" that he will no longer be a full-time player on the PGA Tour.

Woods who hasn't played since February says he hopes to pick and chose a few events each year.

"Just like Mr. (Ben) Hogan did," Woods said.

Woods, 45, was the sole occupant in the sport utility vehicle when it crashed at about 7:12 a.m. near the suburban communities of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a written statement.

"Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support," Woods' agent, Daniel Rapaport, said in a statement.

Golf's biggest star ended an 11-year wait for his 15th major title by winning a fifth green jacket in April.

It was a mightily impressive achievement by the 43-year-old, whose well-documented injury struggles left many doubting whether he would win another major.

Since triumphing at the Masters, Woods missed the cut at the US PGA Championship and placed 21st at the U.S. Open either side of a top-10 finish at the Memorial Tournament, and he says the demanding nature of Augusta left its mark.

Golf's third major of the year begins at Pebble Beach on Thursday, with Woods among the top contenders after winning the Masters in April, ending an 11-year major drought to claim his 15th.

Victory for the 43-year-old would see him tie Nicklaus and three other players on a record four U.S. Open crowns.

He is now only three overall majors adrift of Nicklaus, who thinks the gap could become two at the venue where Woods won the same tournament by 15 strokes back in 2000. 

Woods – who started at the 10th with Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau – recorded his first birdie of the day at the 11th hole with a manageable up-and-down.

He could not get into his stride, though, and he gave that stroke back two holes later when he sent his second shot into a bunker and failed to convert another chipped putt.

Woods hit a string of pars to turn onto the front nine, but in the final four-hole stretch, he came up with the goods.

The 15-time major champion was not involved at the Charles Schwab Challenge over the weekend, but still managed to climb a spot above Justin Thomas.

Woods last played in the US PGA Championship where he missed the cut at Bethpage Black, but his rise is due in part to Thomas not playing the Masters, where the 43-year-old ended an 11-year wait for a major title.

This weekend, Woods is scheduled to play at the Memorial Tournament as part of his build-up to next month's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. 

Woods, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, was awarded the medal by United States president Donald Trump after he shockingly took home the 2019 Masters title.

It was Woods' 15th major win but his first since 2008.

"Heartfelt congrats to [Tiger Woods] on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom this evening!" Nicklaus wrote on Twitter.

He'll also be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, according to President Donald Trump.

"Spoke to Tiger Woods to congratulate him on the great victory he had," Trump tweeted, and "to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM!"

Last week, a bettor wagered $US85,000 that Woods would break his 11-year drought in the Majors at Augusta National at the odds of $15.

When Woods rolled in his bogey putt on 18 to seal a one-shot victory, the bet had earned the gambler $US1.19 million ($NZ1.65 million).

It was the largest payout in the history of the William Hill US sportsbook in Nevada.

​"It's great to see Tiger back," Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill U.S. said - likely through gritted teeth - in a release.

Woods had beaten Rory McIlroy 2 and 1 in their first match play meeting in the last 16 but Bjerregaard completed a 1-up victory over the former world number one when the American missed a short putt on the 18th hole.

"Just to get the chance to play against him today is pretty special," Bjerregaard told PGA Tour Radio.

"I'm pretty proud to say I beat Tiger Woods. Not many people can say that."

The 50th seed will play American Matt Kuchar, who defeated Sergio Garcia 2 up, in Sunday's semi-final.