Tiger Woods Announces His Mom Kultida Has Died: 'She Was My Biggest Fan'
The iconic golfer once called his mother "the enforcer," and she was credited with suggesting that he wear "power" red on Sundays
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Tiger Woods’ mother, Kultida Woods, has died, the golfer announced on Tuesday. She was 81.
“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,” Woods, 49, shared on social media Tuesday, Feb. 4.
He continued, “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. Love you Mom.”
Related: Tiger Woods Thanks His 'Mommy' Kultida in Emotional Speech as His Son and Daughter Look on
Kultida was seen attending the golfer’s TGL match in south Florida last week, NBC Sports reported.
Kultida and Tiger’s father, Earl, were married for 37 years until his death in May 2006. While Earl was a soldier, Tiger credited his mother as the “enforcer” growing up.
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"My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him,” he 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."
However, Kultida never missed an opportunity to support her son both on and off the golf course. She joined her grandkids, Sam Alexis and Charlie Axel, at Tiger's induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022, and was often seen on the fairway cheering on Tiger and sporting her signature oversized black glasses and visor.
Related: Tiger Woods Gets Emotional as He's Inducted Into Golf Hall of Fame with Intro from Daughter Sam
Tiger’s mother was also credited with encouraging Tiger to don his iconic red shirt on Sundays, believing that the power color would lead him to victory.
At first, Tiger wasn’t so sure.
Against Kultida's advice, Tiger wore blue to two tournaments years ago while playing junior golf, and lost. "[I] switched to red and I went on a hot streak. And, well, I kept it," he quipped.
In 2009, Tiger doubled down on his mom's instincts on his website, noting, "You should always listen to your mom."
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