On February 4, 2025, Kultida Woods, the mother of golf icon Tiger Woods and a key figure behind his impressive sporting career, passed away in Florida. She was 80 years old.
In a social media post, Tiger Woods referred to his mother as his “biggest fan and greatest supporter” and “a force of nature.” He stated that her guidance was instrumental to his success.
Born in Thailand, Kultida encountered Earl Woods while she was a civilian secretary at the U.S. Army office in Bangkok during the Vietnam War. They married in 1968, which led to her relocation to the United States, specifically Cypress, California. Their only child, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods, was born there.
Often referred to as “Tida,” Kultida was integral in Tiger’s early golf development. She drove him to junior tournaments throughout California, monitored every hole, and emphasized the importance of academic success alongside his sporting career. Her disciplined approach contributed to Tiger’s 82 PGA TOUR wins and 15 major championships.
Kultida also impacted Tiger’s signature Sunday red attire, a notable tradition in golf. “She thought that being born a Capricorn, that red was my power color,” Tiger stated. This insight from his mother became a symbol of his dominance in the sport, with him achieving 41 victories while wearing red on Sundays.
Following Earl Woods’s death from cancer in 2006, Kultida moved from Orange County to Jupiter, Florida, where her relationship with Tiger and his family grew stronger. She developed a close relationship with her grandchildren, Sam Alexis (born 2007) and Charlie Axel (born 2009), even attending Charlie’s junior golf tournaments as she had with Tiger.
Kultida was known for her tough-love approach, a trait often mentioned in golf circles. Tiger famously noted that he was “deathly afraid of her.” She also maintained unique traditions, such as gifting Tiger a new tiger head cover for his driver each year, a practice that started during his amateur days.
Throughout Tiger’s historic career, Kultida witnessed every significant milestone. She was there for his professional debut at the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open, his groundbreaking 1997 Masters victory, and his 2001 “Tiger Slam” completion. She stood by him during his challenging period from 2009 to 2010 and celebrated his triumphant comeback at the 2019 Masters.
Aside from golf, Kultida was active in philanthropy through the TGR Foundation, serving as a board member. Established in 1996, more than two million students benefited from the foundation’s educational programs. Kultida was particularly passionate about aiding underserved youth, inspired by her own journey as an immigrant in the United States.
In her final years, Kultida remained committed to her family and golf. She was present at Tiger’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022, where he praised her unwavering support. Her last public appearance was a week before her death, watching Tiger compete in a TGL indoor league match in Florida.
Even though Earl Woods is often recognized for shaping Tiger’s golf skills, Tiger stressed that his mother’s influence was just as significant. He stated that she “doesn’t get enough credit” and remained a constant supporter “through thick and thin,” from his first junior tournament to his 82nd PGA TOUR win at the 2019 ZOZO Championship in Japan.
Kultida’s influence extended beyond Tiger’s achievements, and she became a respected figure in the golf community. Known for her straightforward approach and steadfast principles, she remained a constant presence during Tiger’s peak years from 1999 to 2010, when he held the World No. 1 ranking for 545 consecutive weeks. Kultida ensured that Tiger never lost touch with his roots or principles.
