'She Was My Biggest Fan' - Tiger Woods Announces Death Of His Mother Kultida

Woods paid tribute to his "biggest fan" and "greatest supporter" who has sadly passed away

Kultida Woods smiling
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods' mother Kultida has passed away, the 15-time Major winner announced.

"It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning," Woods said on his social media channels.

"My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh.

Tiger Woods embracing Kultida Woods after winning the 2019 Masters

Kultida and Tiger embracing after his 15th Major victory at the 2019 Masters

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.

"Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom."

Kultida, who was born in Thailand, was a strong supporter of her son's golf career and was regularly spotted on tour following Tiger. She was recently present at Tiger's TGL match for Jupiter Links in Florida.

She was also behind her son's iconic Tiger headcover after first buying him one from Daphne's Headcovers in the early years of his golfing career. She gifted him a brand new one each year with the words Rak jack Mea (Thai for “Love from Mom”) sewn on the back. She would write down Tiger’s achievements from the year on a note and place it into the old headcover to be stored away.

Kultida is also the reason why Woods wears red on Sundays. Tiger told a story at his Sun Day Red apparel launch in 2024 of how his famous color came about.

“It started with mom [Kultida]. She thought being a Capricorn that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments," he explained.

“Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red, Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV