Tiger Woods' mother, Kultida, who the 15-time major champion has referred to as his "biggest fan," passed away on Tuesday, as announced by the golfer in a social media statement. She was 80 years old.
Woods’ mother had been present at his TGL match in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, just last week.
"My Mom was a force of nature in her own right; her spirit was absolutely indomitable," Woods shared in a statement on X. "She had a sharp wit and a contagious laugh. She was my biggest fan, my strongest supporter, and without her, none of my personal accomplishments would have been achievable.
"She was cherished by countless people, but most especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers, and respect for our privacy during this challenging time for me and my family. Love you, Mom."
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
While Woods’ late father, Earl, was frequently recognized for helping his son hone his skills and ignite the competitive drive that would propel him to become one of golf's all-time greats, Tiger often described his mother as "the enforcer" throughout his career.
Tiger previously revealed that his mother inspired his tradition of wearing red on Sundays because she believed it to be his "power color." In Thailand, where she was born, people select colors to wear based on the day of the week, with red being the color associated with Sunday.
"It began with Mom," Woods explained during a launch event for his Sun Day Red clothing line in Los Angeles in February 2024. "Mom thought that being a Capricorn, my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and ended up winning some tournaments.
"Interestingly enough, I attended a university that’s red—Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every tournament, and then, in every professional tournament I’ve played, I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me."
Kultida Woods was born in Thailand and was employed as a civilian in the U.S. Army’s Bangkok office during the 1960s when she met Earl Woods, a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces. She relocated to the U.S. in 1968. The couple married in New York and settled in Cypress, California, where Tiger was born in 1975.
Kultida and Earl Woods remained married for 37 years until his passing from cancer in May 2006 at the age of 74.
Last year, when Woods received the Bob Jones Award—the United States Golf Association’s highest honor—in Pinehurst, North Carolina, he expressed gratitude to his mother for serving as a stabilizing presence in his life.
"I accept this award with humility and immense respect for those who have received it before me, but I also accept it on behalf of my mommy," Woods said during his acceptance speech. "She made it possible for me to get here. She allowed me to chase my dreams and provided unwavering support and love—I didn’t achieve this alone. I had the greatest foundation any child could ask for: my mom. Thank you, Mommy."
Woods’ mother was near the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club alongside Tiger’s children when he claimed his final major championship at the 2019 Masters.
"My mom doesn’t receive enough recognition," Woods remarked last year. "Everyone assumed it was my dad who supported me on the road—and he did—but Mom was always at home. If you didn’t know, Mom has been there for me my entire life. She’s always stood by me through both good times and bad."
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