Police in Florida plan to question Tiger Woods about the events surrounding a car accident outside the golf champion's house, CNN reported yesterday.

Woods, the world's top golfer and a major sports marketing star, hit a fire hydrant and tree early on Friday as he pulled his Cadillac Escalade out of the driveway of his house in Windermere, Florida, near Orlando, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

He was treated at a nearby hospital with what police described as "serious injuries," but the golfer's office said the accident was minor and that Woods had been released from the hospital in good condition after being treated.

CNN said last night that investigators would question Woods (33), who made a triumphant return to professional golf this year after missing much of last season following reconstructive knee surgery.

Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor said that Woods was bleeding from the mouth and was "in and out of it for several minutes," when police arrived at his home shortly after the accident.

He "was on the ground, semi-unconscious and had lacerations to the upper and lower lips," Saylor said, adding that Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, used a golf club to smash a window of his SUV to get him out.

Nordegren "explained to my officers that the doors were locked and she could not gain entry" into the crashed vehicle, so she "used a golf club" to smash a window, he said. Woods was the only passenger in the vehicle, Saylor said.

The accident was not alcohol-related, the FHP said. "The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending," it said.

Woods' office, in a statement published on his website, said: "He was admitted, treated and released today in good condition. We appreciate very much everyone's thoughts and well wishes."

Woods is perhaps the world's richest athlete and the biggest draw on the PGA tour as he chases Jack Nicklaus' record for victories in major tournaments and the unofficial title of best golfer ever. He has won 71 times on the PGA tour in a glittering career that includes 14 major wins.

He returned to action in February this year after being sidelined for eight months due to the knee surgery, and finished on top of the FedEx Cup standings for the season.

The Orlando Sentinel newspaper, citing the highway patrol, reported that the airbags in the Cadillac did not deploy, an indication that the car was traveling under 33mph.

"Basically it was facial lacerations, and as I'm understanding it, nothing that serious," Windermere mayor Gary Bruhn said.

Woods is the greatest golfer of his generation and arguably the best of all time. He trails Nicklaus, his childhood idol, by just four majors in the all-time standings.

Forbes magazine said in September that Woods' victory in the FedEx Cup, with its $10m (€7m) prize, made him the first billionaire athlete. He has lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Buick, Gillette and Gatorade.

"Like millions of fans around the world, we are grateful he was not seriously hurt and has been released in good condition," said Michael Norton, spokesman for Gill­ette. Ironically the firm had more bad publicity earlier this month when its poster boy Thierry Henry admitted to cheating in a World Cup qualifying game against Ireland.

Forbes said that Woods was the highest earner in sports with $110m during the previous 12 months, over twice that of his nearest competitor.