Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion, is grieving the loss of his mother, Kultida Woods, who passed away in the early hours of February 4 at the age of 81.
In a heartfelt statement shared on his social media, Woods expressed his sorrow:
“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—without her, none of my personal achievements would have been possible.”
Woods, who shares two children, Sam, 17, and Charlie, 15, with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, also highlighted Kultida’s deep bond with her grandchildren:
“She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers, and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you, Mom.”
Kultida was married to Tiger’s father, Earl Woods, for 37 years until his passing in 2006. While Earl, a former soldier, played a significant role in Tiger’s life, the golfer often credited his mother as the true disciplinarian.
“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. She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding… I love her so much, but she was tough.”
Woods’ fans and the golf community have since shared their condolences and support as he navigates this difficult time.