Tiger Woods announced that his mother, Kultida, died on Tuesday morning.
No cause of death was immediately available.
“My Mom was a force of nature al her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Woods said in a statement on social media. “She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible.”
It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter,… pic.twitter.com/RoKd0fsM9J
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 4, 2025
Last week, Kultida Woods had attended Tiger’s TGL match in South Florida.
Though Tiger’s father, Earl, was well-known in golf circles, Tiger said that his mother was a driving force in his career and “the enforcer.” It was Tida who gave Tiger the idea to use red as his “power circle,” which quickly became his signature look on final-round Sundays.
During his acceptance speech for the 2024 Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor, Woods saved some of his most heartfelt comments for Tida.
“My mom doesn’t get enough credit,” he said. “Everyone thought it was my dad when I went on the road, which it was, but Mom was at home. If you don’t know, Mom has been there my entire life. She’s always been there through thick and thin.”
Woods said that it was his mother who shuttled him to all of his junior tournaments, who had instilled his toughness and commitment, and who was a fixture, in her trademark wide-brim hat, throughout his pro career. A witness to so many legendary moments, Tida was waiting behind the 18th green, with grandchildren Sam and Charlie, when Tiger authored one of the most remarkable comeback stories of his career at the 2019 Masters.
“This award,” Woods said during the speech last year, “I accept it in humbleness and just unbelievable regard for the past recipients, but I also accept it for my mommy, too. She has allowed me to get here. She allowed me to do these things, chase my dreams, and the support and love – I didn’t do this alone. I had the greatest rock that any child could possibly have: my mom. Thank you, Mommy.”
Woods, 49, is the tournament host of next week’s Genesis Invitational, which has been relocated from Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines in San Diego. It is not yet known whether he will compete.
“Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family,” Woods said.
