Tiger Woods has announced that his mother Kultida died. She was 78.
The 15-time big winner was extremely close to his mother, who saw him stand up to conquer the game before he stood with him during his downfall of the 2009 sex scandal.
Woods, 49, did not reveal the cause of death. But she was on his recent TGL match in Florida on January 14.
Woods said in a statement: 'It is with genuine sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, died early this morning.
“My mother was her own natural power, her mind was just unmistakable. She was quickly with the needle and a smile. She was my biggest fan, biggest supporter, without her none of my personal performance would have been possible.
“She was loved by so much, but especially because of 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 your mom. '
Tiger Woods announced the death of his mother Kultida at the age of 78
Kultida depicted with Woods after his first press conference after the 2009 sex scandal
It is with genuine sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, died early this morning. My mother was her own natural power, her mind was just unmistakable. She was quickly with the needle and a smile. She was my biggest fan, best supporter, … pic.twitter.com/rokd0fsm9j
– Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) February 4, 2025
In June 2024, after receiving the Bob Jones Award – one of the most prestigious individual awards in Golf – Woods brought an emotional tribute to his mother.
“My mother doesn't get enough credit,” he said, with her in the audience. 'Everyone thought it was my father when I set off, what it was, but mother was at home. If you don't know, Mama has been there all my life.
'This prize, I accept it in humility and simply incredible respect for the earlier recipients, but I also accept it for my mom.
“She 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 biggest rock that every child could have: my mother. Thank you, Mama. '
In addition to being a witness to her son's comprehensive career in Golf, she was also there during his downfall.
After his series of unfaithfulness to his then wife, Elin Nordegren was exposed, culminating in his house in Florida in the early hours of the morning, Woods appeared again three months later during a press conference where he apologized for his business .
His mother was one of the few people who were in the room with him that day.
Woods said that despite her public support, she made sure that in addition to Nordegren he was confronted with the consequences of his actions.
Woods poses with his mother after winning the US Open in 2000 on Pebble Beach
Woods received the presidential freedom medal with his mother in 2019 from Donald Trump
“They have both been cheeky. They have both been very tough, “he said. “Because I hurt them the most.
“Those are the two people in my life where I am closest and to say the things I have done, truthfully against them, is frankly very painful.”
Specifically speaking about the influence of his mother, he added: 'I had gone away from my core values as I said before. I loved my Buddhism. And I stopped meditating.
'I stopped doing all the things my father and mother had taught me. And as I said earlier in my statement, I felt straight, and that is not how I grew up. '
President Trump immediately offered his condolences to Woods and posted on Truth Social: 'I was just told that the great mother of Tiger Woods, Kultida, died – she went on Greener Fairways!
'Kultida Woods was a great influence on Tiger and gave him a lot of his strength and sparkle. Melania and I send our love and prayers to Tiger and his incredible family! '
Woods received the presidential freedom of freedom of Trump in 2019. His mother joined him in the White House in front of the ceremony.
