Florida Highway Patrol said Tiger Woods pulled out of his driveway at about 2:25 a.m. ET, struck a fire hydrant and then a tree on his neighbour's property. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Golf superstar Tiger Woods was "in and out of consciousness" after an auto accident near Orlando, Fla., early Friday morning, but was released from hospital later in the day.

A Florida Highway Patrol report says Woods pulled out of the driveway of his $2.4-million US home in Windermere in a black Cadillac Escalade at about 2:25 a.m. ET, struck a fire hydrant and then a tree on a neighbour's property.

Windermere police Chief Daniel Saylor told The Associated Press that officers found the PGA star lying in the street with his wife, Elin, hovering over him.

She told officers she was in the house when she heard the accident and "came out and broke the back window with a golf club," he said.

The chief said Woods was in and out of consciousness when his two officers arrived. He said the officers held Woods to the ground and "when he woke up, he tried to get up and lost consciousness."

No other vehicles were involved.

Woods, 33, was taken to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee.

Susan Jackson, senior vice-president of Health Central Hospital, was tight-lipped with reporters earlier in the day, characterizing it "a minor car accident."

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn confirmed to CBC News that Woods had been treated for cuts on his face and released.

Police said alcohol was not involved, although the accident remains under investigation and charges could be filed.

Left unanswered was where Woods was going at that hour.

Glenn Greenspan, the golfer's spokesman, and agent Mark Steinberg said there would be no comment beyond the short statement that confirmed the accident on the golfer's website, which also thanked fans for their well wishes.

Woods is one of the greatest golfers in history, currently the top pro on the PGA Tour, and one of the most recognized athletes in the world.

His historic wins and accolades are numerous. Woods has 14 major championships to his credit, second only to the 18 won by golfing great Jack Nicklaus.

He's also the only golfer to win the four major championships in succession, winning the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship in 2000, and taking the Masters in 2001.

Woods has 71 PGA Tour wins (third all-time), and 82 tournament victories overall. He owns the lowest career scoring average and the most career earnings of any player in PGA Tour history.

In the summer, Forbes Magazine pegged Woods to become the world's first billionaire athlete because of his incredible golf success and lucrative corporate partnerships.

Woods has more than $100 million US in career winnings, and has reportedly made in excess of $750 million US from endorsement contracts.

He won six times — but no major tournaments — on the Tour this year, along with the Australian Masters after missing eight months while recovering from surgery on his left knee.

With files from CBCSports.ca