What a painful momentTiger Woods mourns death of mother Kultida Woods: she started the Red Shirt Sunday tradition
announced on Tuesday, February 4, that his beloved mother Kultida Woods had passed away at the age of 81. “It is with deep sadness that I wish to inform you that my beloved mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. “My mother was a force of nature, her spirit was just undeniable,” Woods, 49, shared in an emotional statement on social media.
Reflecting on her support, Woods continued, “She was quick with the needle and had a laugh. She has been my biggest fan and biggest advocate and without her I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of my personal accomplishments. She was loved by many people, especially her two grandsons, Sam and Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers and respect for our privacy during this difficult time for me and my family. I love you, Mom.
USA April – April 10: Golf: Tiger Woods wins the Masters after winning a playoff and tournament against Chris DiMarco at Augusta National on Sunday, his mother Kultida and agent greet the media, Augusta, Georgia, October 4, 2005 (Photo by John Beaver (/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Serial Number: X73298 TK6)
Kultida Woods, a native of Thailand, was married to Tiger’s father, Earl Woods, for 37 years until his death in May 2006. Earl, a former Green Beret, played a key role in Tiger’s life and golf career, but Tiger considered his mother a “protégé” in their family.
\”My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him,\” Tiger told USA Today. \”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 very much, but she was tough.”
NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 10: Cutilda Woods, mother of world number one golfer Tiger Woods, walks the course with Nike representative Greg Nared to watch her son during the first round of the Telstra Hyundai New Zealand Open 2002 golf tournament at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, north of Wellington, today, Thursday. (Photo: Rossa Land/Getty Images)
Despite her endurance, Kurdowods was the most eternal supporter of the tiger, but he was always on his career Milstone. In 2022, she joined her grandson Sam Alexis and Charlie Axel to celebrate the introduction of a tiger to Golf World Hall of Fam. She could often be seen cheering on her son on the golf course and was easily recognizable by her large sunglasses and sun visor.
Kultida also played a large role in establishing one of the Tigers’ most iconic traditions: wearing red shirts on Sundays. She believed that red was a powerful color that would bring success, and while Tiger was initially skeptical of his advice, a few losses with blue in his youth convinced him to change his mind. In the summer of 2024, Woods accepted the USGA’s Bob Jones Award, where he delivered an emotional speech dedicated to his family. He attended the event with the support of his mother, Kutilda, and his children. Woods’ award is the highest honor provided by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. “My mom doesn’t get enough credit,” Woods said nearing the end of the speech. “They all thought it was me and Dad on the road, and that was it, but Mom was home. If you don’t know, my mom has been there for me my whole life; she was always there, through the sadness and the joy.
This is a powerful photo of Tiger Woods and his mother, Kultida Woods, just before Tiger was about to hug his mother after the PGA Tour statement at home in which Tiger publicly admitted to cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren. His mother stood by his side and supported him during these difficult times.
Woods said he accepted the honor “in humbleness” and “unbelievable regard” for the previous recipients. He added, “But I also accept it for my mommy too.” He shared that his mother’s support was one of the main forces behind all of his achievements. “I didn’t do this alone, I had the greatest rock that any child could possibly have – my mom. “Thanks, Mom.”
