Kultida Woods, mother of Tiger Woods, passed away on Tuesday.
Tiger announced the news via his social media accounts. No cause of death was given.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” Woods wrote in a statement.
“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. 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.”
Kultida’s journey began in Thailand, where she worked as a receptionist at the U.S. Army’s Bangkok office. There she met Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, during his tour of duty in 1968.
While Earl became well-known in golf circles, it was Kultida, known by the shortened name Tida, who emerged as the true force behind Tiger’s phenomenal career, earning the nickname “the enforcer.”
Her influence on Tiger’s career was profound and lasting. In a 2017 interview with USA Today, Tiger revealed the depth of his mother’s impact, stating that despite his father’s Special Forces background, it was his mother who commanded true respect: “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.”
Perhaps most notably, Kultida was responsible for Tiger’s iconic Sunday red attire, suggesting it as his “power circle” – a tradition that became synonymous with his final-round appearances.
Tiger’s Genesis Invitational, moved to Torrey Pines in San Diego due to the wildfires in Los Angeles County, is scheduled for next week. It was already uncertain if Tiger would be competing in the event as he continues to recover from a back procedure he underwent last September.
Golf Digest
