Tiger Woods, 49, makes heartbreaking announcement after personal tragedy – ‘A force of nature’
Tiger Woods has announced the death of his mother Kultida Woods at age 78, who passed away early Tuesday morning.
The 15-time major champion shared the news in an emotional tribute on social media, describing his mother as “a force of nature” whose “spirit was simply undeniable.”
Kultida had been seen just last week attending her son’s TGL match in South Florida, where she watched Woods compete against Rory McIlroy’s team.
“She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible,” Woods wrote in his statement.
Throughout his career, Woods often referred to his mother as “the enforcer” despite his father Earl’s military background.
“My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him,” Woods told USA Today in 2017. “My mom’s still here and I’m still deathly afraid of her.”
He emphasised her tough but loving nature, describing her as “a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding.”
Last year, whilst accepting the Bob Jones Award, Woods highlighted his mother’s understated influence: “My mom doesn’t get enough credit. Everyone thought it was my dad when I went on the road, which it was, but Mom was at home.”
Kultida was famously responsible for Woods’ tradition of wearing red on tournament Sundays, believing it to be his “power colour” as a Capricorn.
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“It started with Mom,” Woods explained at his Sun Day Red clothing line launch earlier this month. “Mom thought being a Capricorn that my power color was red.”
The tradition began during his junior golf days, with Woods admitting he once defied his mother’s advice by wearing blue and lost those tournaments.
“I switched to red and I went on a hot streak. And, well, I kept it,” Woods recalled, later adding on his website: “You should always listen to your mom.”
Kultida’s special bond with her grandchildren, Sam and Charlie, was evident throughout Woods’ career milestones.
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She was present at Augusta National Golf Club in 2019 when Woods clinched his 15th major championship, standing proudly alongside her grandchildren at the 18th green.
In 2022, she joined Sam and Charlie at Woods’ induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
She was often spotted on the fairway supporting both Tiger and her grandchildren, recognisable by her signature oversized black glasses and visor.
“She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie,” Woods noted in his tribute.
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Kultida had been married to Earl Woods for 37 years until his death from cancer in May 2006.
Born in Thailand, she met Earl whilst working as a civilian in the U.S. Army’s Bangkok office in the 1960s, before moving to America in 1968.
The couple married in New York and later settled in Cypress, California, where Tiger was born in 1975.
In his announcement, Woods requested privacy during this difficult period, writing: “Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom.”