Tiger Woods is recovering at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after he was involved in a single-car crash near LA last Tuesday. The 45-year old golf legend was initially taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (located about 18 miles south of downtown Los Angeles), where he underwent emergency surgery for injuries in one of his lower legs. On February 25, Tiger was moved to Cedars-Sinai, which is known for its privacy among high-profile patients, “for continuing orthopedic care and recovery,” according to a statement on his Twitter account. While there, Tiger is focused on his recovery, and the eventual opportunity to reunite with his two kids: daughter Sam Alexis, 13, and 11-year-old son Charlie Axel — who are staying with mom, Tiger’s ex-wife, Elin Nordegren in Florida.
“Tiger has been in contact with his kids, but while he recovers, he’s fine with them being with Elin in Florida,” a source close to the golf icon told HollywoodLife, exclusively, explaining, “He feels that it would be too dramatic for them to see their dad hurt. He’s reassured them that he’s getting better each day and everything’s going to be alright. Everyone’s taking things day by day.”
Tiger, who’s known to be private about his personal and family life, doesn’t want his kids exposed to the media scene that’s formed outside Cedars-Sinai since he transferred hospitals. “He doesn’t want the kids to be around all the media coverage,” the source said. “He doesn’t want the focus to be on his kids and photos of them being taken and all that. Also, there are obvious concerns about them visiting at the hospital amid COVID-19.”
Ultimately, “Tiger wants his kids to have a normal life as best as they can,” the insider continued, adding, “When things settle and he’s able leave the hospital, he will see his kids.”
Following Tiger’s near-fatal accident, his kids were spotted with his ex-wife in Palm Beach, Florida on February 27. The 41-year-old Swedish model was pictured holding her son Arthur, (17-months) whom she shares with husband, Jordan Cameron, a retired NFL player. Tiger married Elin in 2004, and their divorce was finalized by 2010. The couple split after Tiger’s infidelities went public in 2009.
On February 28, Tiger took to Twitter to express his emotions over the “touching” tribute his fellow golfers coordinated on his behalf at the WGC-Workday Championship. Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas and Jason Day were just a few participants in the event who wore red shirts in honor of Tiger — who’s known for sporting his classic red golf shirt on the green.
“It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts,” Tiger said, via Twitter. “To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time.”