Kultida Woods, mother of Tiger Woods, passed away at age 80
According to her only child, Kultida Woods never received the recognition she truly deserved. She played a pivotal role in shaping his identity, even inspiring the iconic red attire he wore on Sundays—an influence that began in his early years and ultimately became a signature of an entire generation of golf. His tireless dedication to his craft stemmed from her teachings. She was his primary source of encouragement, instilling in him the perseverance and discipline essential for greatness.
"My mother was a force in her own right, her presence simply unshakable," her son expressed.
Even in her absence, her essence will remain. Kultida Woods, mother of 82-time PGA TOUR champion Tiger Woods, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, at the age of 80.
"She had a sharp wit and a contagious laugh," Tiger Woods shared in a heartfelt social media tribute. "She was my most loyal supporter, my biggest fan. Without her, none of my accomplishments would have been possible."
Tiger Woods celebrated alongside his mother after advancing to the semifinals of the 1996 U.S. Amateur (left, PGA TOUR Archive) and again upon securing his first PGA TOUR victory at the 1996 Shriners Children's Open. (J.D. Cuban/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods and his mother shared another triumphant moment after his win at the 2000 U.S. Open (left, Jamie Squire/Getty Images) and the 1997 BMW Championship. (PGA TOUR Archive)
"The PGA TOUR community deeply mourns the loss of Kultida Woods," stated PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. "Those fortunate enough to have witnessed Tiger Woods' journey firsthand understand the profound impact his mother’s unwavering love and guidance had on both his career and character. We will hold dear the memories of her, and our thoughts are with Tiger, his children Sam and Charlie, and their entire family as they grieve."
Referred to fondly as "Tida," Kultida Woods was widely recognized as the matriarch of one of golf’s most celebrated families. However, before she earned that title, she was Kultida Punsawad—the youngest of four siblings, born to an architect and a teacher. She entered the world in 1944 in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, approximately 75 miles west of Bangkok. As a young woman, she relocated to Bangkok, where she found employment as a civilian secretary performing administrative tasks for the U.S. Army base during the Vietnam War. It was during this time, in 1966, that she crossed paths with Earl Woods, a Green Beret serving in the 6th Special Forces Group. Three years later, in 1969, the two married and relocated to the United States—initially settling in Brooklyn, New York, before making Cypress, California, their home. In December 1975, Kultida gave birth to her only child, Eldrick Woods.
Earl Woods took on a highly visible role as both mentor and advocate in their son's golf career, often seen and heard offering guidance. In contrast, Kultida preferred to remain in the background. Yet, Tiger has always credited his mother with instilling in him core values that shaped his success. She was the one who consistently drove him to his competitions, followed every step of his rounds, and made certain he stayed diligent with his studies. She was also the person who urged him to wear red, believing it to be his "power color." In later years, Kultida dedicated herself to philanthropic work and took an active role in the TGR Foundation, particularly focusing on initiatives in her homeland, Thailand.
"She ingrained in me the mindset to pursue my ambitions and stand firm in my convictions," Tiger once reflected. "Nothing is handed to you—you must earn it. If you don't invest effort, if you don't commit yourself, not only will you fail to see results, but more importantly, you won't deserve them. Success is something you work for."
Though she valued her privacy, Kultida was always present for her son's proudest moments. She was there to witness Tiger’s unforgettable Masters victory in 2019, embracing him at the 18th green alongside his children, Sam and Charlie. Some of the last public images of Kultida were taken when Tiger was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 and again in 2022 when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
"My mom has never gotten enough appreciation," Tiger remarked at the Bob Jones Award ceremony in June 2024. "People always assumed it was just me and my dad on the road, and while that was true, my mom was the backbone. She was always there—through every high and low."
"I accept this honor with immense humility and deep reverence for the incredible figures who have received it before me. But I also accept it on behalf of my mother. She enabled me to pursue my goals, to chase my dreams. She gave me unwavering love and support. I didn't achieve this alone. I had the strongest foundation any child could ask for—my mother. Thank you, Mom."
Kultida was last seen at one of Tiger’s TGL matches on Tuesday, January 27. During the event, Woods smiled and waved, greeting her with, "Hi, Mom! I’m not going to be terrible tonight."
She is survived by her son, Tiger Woods, and her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.
"I appreciate all the love, prayers, and privacy during this difficult moment for my family and me," Tiger shared in his statement. "Love you, Mom."
