Golf legend Tiger Woods has been shocked by a devastating loss. He revealed the death of someone he loved very much in an emotional social media post.
Tiger Woods revealed on X that Kultida Woods, his mother, died on February 4. He characterized her as a strong woman who was crucial to his achievement because of her support.
“My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Tiger said. “She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible.”
In addition, he thanked fans for their support during this trying time and remarked on the profound love she had for her grandkids, Sam and Charlie.
Kultida, a Thai woman, was there all the time during her son’s illustrious career. She continued her steadfast support by going to his TMRW Golf League (TGL) debut a few weeks ago.
Tiger’s mother’s love and fortitude had a profound effect on everyone who knew her, even other golfers. Legendary golfer Fred Couples honored Kultida on X, recalling her as a lively figure.
Beyond the sidelines, Kutilda’s impact shaped every aspect of Tiger’s playing, including a daring custom that would come to characterize him: wearing a 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.
Tiger continues to uphold the ideals his mother taught him, which helped mold him into the champion the world knows today, even as he grieves this terrible loss.
Tiger turned to his family for comfort throughout his loss. He spent time on the course with his kids at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, where he had one of those special moments.
His sighting with Sam and Charlie, both 15 years old, on December 21, 2024, captivated followers who remarked on how much Sam looked like her mother, Elin Nordegren.
Tiger and Charlie continued a long-standing tradition by competing in the 2024 PNC Championship. Sam, meanwhile, made her debut at an event in 2023 and returned for her second year as a caddy for her dad.
The golfer and his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, whom he married in 2004 and divorced in 2010, had children together. Sam was born in 2007 and Charlie in 2009.
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.”
Some fans thought Sam looked more like Tiger, while others thought she looked a lot like her mother. Her smile was also praised by many, who pointed out how much it resembled her father’s. Another admirer, meanwhile, paused to compliment Charlie’s golfing abilities.
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 👏.”
Sam notably captured the attention of one fan, who expressed adoration for her beauty. Another admirer praised the family’s relationship, pointing out that their time on the golf course demonstrated how much they enjoyed each other.
In remembrance of her late grandfather and the family of both of her parents, Tiger named her daughter Sam Alexis. According to her father, the name was associated with his deceased father, who had always referred to him as Sam rather than 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.
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Sam loves her father, whom she has praised in the past. Sam commended her father’s tenacity at the March 2022 Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony. She praised his accomplishments, which included winning his fifth Masters following back surgery, becoming the first Asian and Black golfer to win a major, and returning to walking only months after a catastrophic accident.
In contrast to her brother Charlie, Sam is currently deciding not to pursue a career in golf as her father did. Tiger once disclosed that because the sport frequently kept him away from her as a child, Sam has a “negative connotation” of it.
During his prime, Tiger would often leave young Sam behind to travel for games. While Charlie and Tiger like spending time together on the golf course, the father and daughter have since developed a close relationship through common interests outside of golf.
On December 23, 2024, Charlie made headlines when he achieved his first-ever hole-in-one during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Florida. He accomplished the amazing accomplishment on a par-3 hole with a 7-iron.
The teenager was clearly focused as he swung smoothly and observed the ball’s direction in the video that captured the moment.
Charlie stopped in the middle of his stride as the ball vanished, bringing his outstretched palm to waist level as a startled smile flashed on his face.
As the young golfer turned to his father, Tiger, for a passionate embrace, the audience exploded in applause. In keeping with Tiger’s signature look, their black slacks and scarlet shirts complemented the momentous occasion.
With a proud smile, Tiger said, “Yeah!” and gave Charlie a friendly shove as they shared in the celebration.
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.”
Tiger highlighted his worth as a reliable partner in scramble-style golf, when players share their best shots collectively, but acknowledged that he is not in optimal physical condition for competitive play.
An exciting climax was set up when Team Woods, Team Langer (Bernhard and Jason Langer), and Team Singh (Vijay and Qass Singh) matched for the first-round lead at 13-under 59. With an 18-foot eagle putt and a perfect approach shot, Team Langer won the playoff championship.
At the PNC Championship, Team Woods placed second for the second time in a row. They finished second in 2021, two strokes behind John Daly and his son, John Daly II, which was their greatest performance to date.
