Tiger Woods’ Mother, Kultida, Passes Away – Grieving Golfer Speaks Out

Tiger Woods announced on X that his mother, Kultida Woods, passed away on February 4. He described her as a strong woman whose support was essential to his success.

“My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Tiger wrote. “She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible.”

He also reflected on the deep love she shared with her grandchildren, Sam and Charlie, and thanked fans for their support during this difficult time.

Kultida, who is of Thai origin, was a constant presence throughout her son’s legendary career. Just weeks ago, she attended his TMRW Golf League (TGL) debut, continuing her unwavering support.

Tiger’s mom’s strength and warmth left a lasting impact on those who knew her, including fellow golfers. Golfing legend Fred Couples paid tribute to Kultida on X, remembering her as a vibrant presence.

Kutilda’s influence extended beyond the sidelines, shaping even the smallest details of Tiger’s game—including a bold tradition that would come to define him: his red shirt on Sundays.

“My mom thought, that being born a Capricorn, that red was my power color,” Woods once said. “And so, in some of the junior golf events in So Cal, I would wear red. And I won.” Wanting to test her belief, he deliberately switched to blue for other tournaments—only to be proven wrong.

“I didn’t win,” Tiger admitted. “And so I then switched to red, and I had a lot more success wearing red.” Realizing the pattern, he eventually made a deal with his mother—he would reserve red for the final round of big events instead of wearing it every day.

Kultida accepted the compromise. “She said, ‘Fine. Just wear it the last day,'” Tiger shared. From then on, his mom’s belief became a lasting tradition, one he carried into the biggest moments of his career.

As Tiger mourns this profound loss, he carries forward the lessons and strength his mother instilled in him—values that helped shape him into the champion the world knows today.

Amid his grief, Tiger found solace in his family. One of those memorable moments took place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, where he spent time on the course with his children.

On December 21, 2024, he was spotted with Sam and Charlie, 15, captivating fans who noted how much Sam resembles her mother, Elin Nordegren.

Tiger and Charlie took part in the 2024 PNC Championship, continuing a tradition they’ve maintained for several years. Meanwhile, Sam returned for her second year as a caddie for her dad, having made her debut at an event in 2023.

The golfer shares his children with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, whom he married in 2004 and divorced in 2010. Charlie was born in 2009, and Sam in 2007.

Fans were excited to see Charlie and Sam, with many jumping into comparisons about who the kids resembled, especially Sam, as they wondered if she took after her mom or dad. One fan quickly pointed out Sam’s resemblance to her mom, “Daughter looks like Elin. Beautiful like her mama.”

Someone else noticed the family resemblance, commenting, “Great looking kids. She looks so much like her mom.” A different fan was struck by the similarity, adding, “Such cute kids! They look like their mother.” and another remarked, “Look like their Mom. Beautiful kids.”

While some fans saw a strong resemblance between Sam and her mother, others believed she looked more like Tiger. Many also admired her smile, noting its similarity to her father’s. Meanwhile, another fan took a moment to praise Charlie’s golfing skills.

Another fan celebrated the family’s good looks with “His children are gorgeous, they resemble both parents.” A fan also acknowledged the family’s bond, “A proud father. Kudos to their mother as well 👏.”

One fan was particularly captivated by Sam, expressing admiration for her appearance. Another fan appreciated the family’s bond, noting how their time on the golf course reflected their love for being together.

Tiger’s daughter was named Sam Alexis in honor of both her parents’ families and her late grandfather. Her father explained that the name was tied to his late father, who had always called him Sam instead of Tiger.

“He rarely ever called me Tiger. I would ask him, ‘Why don’t you ever call me Tiger?’ He says, ‘Well, you look more like a Sam,'” explained the golfer. Therefore, to Tiger Woods, the name Sam was fitting for his daughter as she was born just a day after Father’s Day.

Sam adores her dad, whom she has previously showered with praise. During the Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony in March 2022, Sam praised her father’s resilience. She celebrated his achievements, including being the first Black and Asian golfer to win a major, winning his fifth Masters after back surgeries, and walking again just months after a devastating crash.

Currently, Sam is taking a different path from her brother, Charlie, choosing not to follow in her dad’s footsteps as a golfer. Tiger once revealed that Sam holds a “negative connotation” towards the sport, as it was what often took him away during her childhood.

At the height of his career, Tiger frequently traveled for games, leaving young Sam behind. However, father and daughter have since built a strong bond through shared interests outside of golf, while Charlie and Tiger enjoy spending time together on the course.

On December 23, 2024, Charlie made headlines during the final round of the PNC Championship by sinking his first-ever hole-in-one at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Florida. Using a 7-iron, he achieved the incredible feat on a par-3 hole.

In the video capturing the moment, the teen’s focus was evident as he took a smooth swing and watched the ball’s trajectory.

The ball landed roughly six feet to the left of the hole and gently rolled into the cup.

As the ball disappeared, Charlie paused mid-stride, raising his hand with an open palm to waist level while a surprised smile spread across his face.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the young golfer turned to his father, Tiger, for a heartfelt celebratory hug. Their matching red shirts and black pants added to the iconic moment, a nod to Tiger’s signature style.

Tiger beamed with pride and exclaimed, “Yeah!” and gave Charlie a playful push as they celebrated the moment together.

After the round, Charlie spoke about his accomplishment with a mix of awe and excitement. “It was awesome,” he said. “No one made a mistake today, so that was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. On top of that, I made an ace. I don’t think I can top that.”

For Tiger, the moment was as special as any in his storied career. “That’s one of the highlights we’ve ever had,” he shared.

Reflecting on Charlie’s growth in the game, Tiger added, “On the hole previous, he made his first eagle (in a previous PNC), and now he just made his first hole-in-one. It’s a magical two-hole stretch. I’m just so happy for him and for the enjoyment we had as a family.”

Acknowledging that he is not in peak physical shape for competitive play, Tiger emphasized his value as a dependable teammate in scramble-style golf, where players contribute their best shots collectively.

He expressed that the tournament’s greatest reward was the opportunity to partner with his son and share such meaningful moments on the course.

Team Woods tied for the first-round lead at 13-under 59 alongside Team Langer (Bernhard and Jason Langer) and Team Singh (Vijay and Qass Singh), setting the stage for a thrilling finale. In the playoff, Team Langer clinched the title with a precise approach shot and an 18-foot eagle putt.

Team Woods finished as runners-up, marking their second top-two finish at the PNC Championship. Their previous best performance came in 2021, when they placed second, two strokes behind John Daly and his son, John Daly II.

Following Team Langer’s championship, Bernhard expressed confidence in Team Woods’s future success, “I’m convinced they are going to win this thing in the next few years. They are just too good.”

While Tiger remains a dominant figure in golf, the legendary athlete acknowledged that he once lost to his son during a game of golf. “Yeah, he beat me for nine holes. Yet to beat me for 18 holes. That day is coming. I’m just prolonging it as long as I possibly can,” Tiger admitted.

As the son of a golf legend, Charlie constantly faces high expectations. However, Tiger encourages him with simple advice. “You know, Charlie is Charlie. Yes, he’s my son. He’s going to have that last name as part of the sport, but I just want him to be himself,” he said.

The doting dad continued, “That’s what we’ve been [and] we will always focus on. I will always encourage it, for him to carve his own name, carve his own path, and have his own journey.”

Tiger expressed confidence in Charlie’s resilience when asked how he handled the pressures of the spotlight, “I think he is doing a great job.” He explained that his son faces unique challenges as part of a generation constantly under social media’s scrutiny, where every moment is recorded and observed.

Tiger acknowledged that this visibility is a reality Charlie must navigate as he grows, both as a golfer and as a person. “I try to do the best job I possibly can as a parent,” Tiger said. “I’m always here for him.”

Charlie’s hole-in-one at the 2024 PNC Championship showcased his skill and the strong bond between him and Tiger, marking a memorable moment in their golfing journey.