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 announced on X that his mother, Kultida Woods, passed away on February 4. He described her as a powerful presence whose unwavering support played a vital role in his success.
“My mom was a force of nature with an undeniable spirit,” Tiger shared. “She was my biggest fan and greatest supporter—without her, none of my 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.
Tiger Woods once shared that his mother, Kultida, believed red was his power color because he was born a Capricorn.
“In some junior golf events in SoCal, I wore red—and I won,” Woods recalled. Curious to test her theory, he switched to blue for other tournaments, only to see different results.
“I didn’t win,” he admitted. “So I switched back to red and found a lot more success.”
Recognizing the pattern, he struck a deal with his mother—he would reserve red for the final round of major events rather than wearing it daily.
Kultida agreed. “She said, ‘Fine. Just wear it the last day,’” Tiger shared. That belief soon became a defining 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 debated whether Sam resembled Tiger more or took after her mother, while many admired her smile, noting its striking similarity to her father’s. Meanwhile, others took a moment to praise Charlie’s impressive golfing skills.
One fan celebrated the family’s looks, commenting, “His children are gorgeous; they resemble both parents.” Another highlighted their close bond, saying, “A proud father. Kudos to their mother as well 👏.”
Sam, in particular, caught the attention of admirers, with one fan expressing admiration for her beauty. Another praised the family dynamic, pointing out how their time on the golf course reflected their love and enjoyment of being together.
Tiger named his daughter Sam Alexis in honor of both sides of the family, as well as in remembrance of his late father. According to Woods, his father had always called him Sam instead of Tiger.
“He rarely ever called me Tiger,” Woods recalled. “I would ask him, ‘Why don’t you ever call me Tiger?’ and he’d say, ‘Well, you look more like a Sam.’”
For Tiger, the name felt especially meaningful, as Sam was born just a day after Father’s Day.
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.
The ball slid smoothly into the cup after landing about six feet to the left of the hole.
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.
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 emphasized his value as a dependable partner in scramble-style golf, where players collectively choose their best shots. However, he admitted that he is not in peak physical condition for competitive play.
For him, the greatest reward of the tournament was the opportunity to team up with his son and share those special moments on the course.
The tournament reached an electrifying climax as Team Woods, Team Langer (Bernhard and Jason Langer), and Team Singh (Vijay and Qass Singh) finished the first round tied at 13-under 59. In the playoff, Team Langer secured the championship with a flawless approach shot and an 18-foot eagle putt.
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.”
At the 2024 PNC Championship, Charlie’s hole-in-one demonstrated both his talent and his close relationship with Tiger, creating a special moment in their golfing journey.
