Kutilda Woods is dead

Tiger mourns: “My mom was a force of nature”

Kutilda Woods (second from left), who passed away at the age of 78, was also present when her son Tiger received the Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in 2019.(Bild: AP/Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Golf superstar Tiger Woods mourns the loss of his mom Kutilda: "It is with deep sadness that I would like to announce that my dear mother has passed away. She was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable."

Woods further emphasized in his statement on social media: "She was quick with a needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, my biggest 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 condolences during this difficult time for me and my family. I love you, mom."

Woods' father Earl died of a heart attack in 2006. He married Kultida in Brooklyn in 1969, after the two had met three years earlier during the Vietnam War. In an interview with "USA Today" in 2017, Tiger said of his parents: "My father was always the one who planted ideas and encouraged me, but also said things that would grow in me and not come to fruition for a while."

When Tiger Woods won the US Masters in Augusta again in 2019, his mother Kutilda was moved to tears.(Bild: AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Woods also explained at the time: "My dad was very worldly and deep in his thinking. My mother was the enforcer. My dad was in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him. My mom is still around and I'm still scared to death of her. She's a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding. She was the hand, she was the one, I love her so much, but she was tough."

Donald Trump also expressed his sympathy
In recent years, Kultida has consistently stood by her son's side. Among other things, she was present when Woods was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump in 2019 and at his induction into the Golf Hall of Fame three years later. Trump expressed his condolences on social media: "Kultida Woods was a wonderful influence on Tiger and gave him much of his strength and brilliance," wrote the 78-year-old, adding on behalf of his wife: "Melania and I send our love and prayers to Tiger and his incredible family."