Tiger Woods 'in good condition' after car crash

Woods has been at the top of the profession for many years

World number one golfer Tiger Woods has been released from hospital after receiving treatment following a car accident in Florida on Friday.

Initial reports said he had been seriously injured, but Woods's website later said he was "admitted, treated and released in good condition".

The American's car reportedly hit a fire hydrant and tree as he left his drive at 0225 local time (0725 GMT).

Woods, a 14-time major champion, is thought to have suffered facial cuts.

The 33-year-old's Swedish wife Elin told police she used a golf club to smash out the back window of the car after hearing the crash from the house, local Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor told the Associated Press news agency.

IAIN CARTER'S BLOG Woods craves control and privacy as much as trophies

Saylor said his officers, who found Woods drifting in and out of consciousness, do not believe alcohol was involved.

"She was frantic, upset," Saylor said in a press briefing. "It was her husband who was lying on the ground."

He said Elin told officers she was in the family mansion when she heard the accident. She came out and broke the vehicle's back window with a golf club.

Saylor said when officers arrived, Woods had lacerations to his upper and lower lips and blood in his mouth.

"He was mumbling, but didn't say anything coherent," said Saylor.

The couple, who were married in 2004, have two children - Sam Alexis, aged three, and nine-month-old Charlie Axel.

An inquiry into the crash is under way, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Woods owns a property in the suburb of Isleworth, an exclusive area near Orlando.

Police said wife Elin Nordegren (left) was "frantic" at the scene

The accident report was not released until nearly 12 hours after Woods was injured, and BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter said the golf world was in shock as news of the crash emerged.

"The incident raises a lot questions, namely why did it take 12 hours for news of the crash to be in the public domain?" said Carter.

"He is clearly a man who craves his privacy.

"He gives very little away and was telling me in Shanghai just two weeks ago that he hates the circus and the attention surrounding him and if he could get rid of it, he would love to."

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Kim Montes said the accident did not meet the criteria of a serious crash, and a press release was only issued because of inquiries from local media.

Montes added that air bags in Woods's vehicle did not deploy.

TIGER WOODS Born: Eldrick Woods in December 1975 in Cypress, California First major title: In 1997, less than a year after turning professional Winner: Of 71 official PGA Tour events, including 14 majors Described as world's most marketable athlete, sponsorship deals with GM, Nike and others

A joint statement from Health Central Hospital and Tiger Woods's office said: "Tiger Woods was in a minor car accident outside his home.

"He was admitted, treated and released in good condition.

"We appreciate very much everyone's thoughts and well wishes."

Woods, who has won six tournaments this year, is set to host the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California, on Thursday, although his agent Mark Steinberg of International Management Group said he did not know if his client planned to play.

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady has expressed relief that Woods did not suffer serious injury in his crash.

Chief Daniel Saylor of the Windermere Police Department

"For the whole world of golf we wish him well and hope there's no real damage and he recovers very soon," O'Grady said.

"He's a role model for the world of golf, not just the European Tour. I think everybody will be delighted the injuries are not serious."

Woods won the last of his 14 major titles at the US Open in 2008 when he beat countryman Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole play-off despite struggling with a serious knee injury.

He then underwent reconstructive knee surgery but has since made a successful comeback on the US PGA Tour.

Woods has become an international sporting icon since winning his first major in 1997 at the age of 21.