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Tiger Woods, one of golf's greatest legends, announced the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, on Tuesday morning. She was 80 years old. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Woods described his mother as "a force of nature," praising her unwavering love and support throughout his life. "She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter — without her, none of my personal achievements would have been possible," he shared.
Kultida Woods, affectionately known as Tida, played a monumental role in shaping Tiger's illustrious career. Though his father, Earl Woods, was widely recognized for mentoring the young golf prodigy, Tiger emphasized that his mother was the real driving force behind his success. A tough but loving figure, Kultida was known as "the enforcer" within the family.
"She shuttled me to all my junior tournaments, instilled my toughness, and even gave me the idea to use red as my power color," Woods recalled during a speech while receiving the Bob Jones Award in 2024, the USGA's highest honor.
Kultida's presence was a familiar sight on the course, often spotted in her signature wide-brimmed hat, standing proudly behind the ropes. She witnessed many of Tiger's iconic moments, including his legendary comeback victory at the 2019 Masters and his game-changing win at Augusta in 1997.
In his speech last year, Woods expressed his deep gratitude for his mother's sacrifices. "Everyone thought it was my dad on the road with me, which it was, but my mom was the one at home. She was always there through thick and thin. I had the greatest rock any child could possibly have: my mom."
Despite his global fame, he has always credited his mother for grounding him and guiding him through the highs and lows of his career, including his highly publicized personal struggles.
Tiger, 49, is currently the tournament host for next week's Genesis Invitational, which will take place at Torrey Pines in San Diego. However, it remains uncertain whether he will compete, given the recent family tragedy.
The golfing world and Woods' devoted fans have flooded social media with messages of condolence and support. "Thank you all for your support, prayers, and privacy at this difficult time," Woods stated.
