Tiger Woods had been planning to make his comeback at the Genesis Invitational this week, but a heavy heart and the need for more time to grieve led him to step back. The 15-time major champion shared that he simply wasn’t ready to return to the course after the recent passing of his mother, Kultida, whose death came to light on February 4. Although Woods had made preparations, he revealed that he was still processing her loss.

In a heartfelt message on social media, Woods expressed gratitude for the support he’s received and hinted at possibly visiting the event later in the week. “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready,” Woods wrote. “I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss. Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my mom’s passing.” The golf community continues to show their sympathies to the 82X PGA Tour Champion.

Rich Beem extends his support to Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods has always been a family man. His father was, of course, his strongest support system when it came to golf. Remember when he clinched his iconic Masters victory in 1997, Earl watched the final round from a monitor by the practice green. He then made his way to the 18th hole to embrace his son after his historic win. Earl Woods was always there waiting from the eighteenth until he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1998. However, while his mother did not have much knowledge of golf, she was still an enormous influence on his life.

Time and again, Tiger Woods had mentioned how she kept the family glued together. And well, she was also the reason behind him wearing red for finals. “She was the one that kind of turned him on to wearing red on Sundays,” added Beem. Tiger Woods loved his mother so much that his face would often light up whenever the conversation was about her. She had an influence that was very different from the support he had from his father, but it was equally important. 

Woods has indeed been receiving a lot of support from the golf world. Defending his withdrawal, Rich Beem said, “Believe it or not folks, Tiger is human. I mean he truly is made in flesh and blood and so I think it’s you know what Tiger felt was best. He’s not going to go out there unless he’s got the mindset, Jamie, that he thinks that he can win the tournament. I just don’t think that with everything going on in his little world he he could have teed up and feel like he’s going to have a chance to win, especially with his Mom’s passing,” in his recent appearance on The Golf Podcast. 

Tiger Woods’s father passed away in 2006, and ever since, his mother has become his backbone, both in golf and in his personal life. She stuck by him through thick and thin and was his biggest cheerleader.

Kultida Woods witnessed Tiger Woods’s comeback in 2019

When Tiger Woods speaks of his mother, Kultida Woods, as his greatest supporter, he’s not just expressing sentiment—he truly means it. She was there for his historic 2019 Masters win, marking his first major victory in 11 years. Throughout the emotional journey, Tiger had his entire family by his side, with Kultida ensuring that his children, Charlie Woods and Sam Woods, were there for the final round.

She arranged for them to fly in on Sunday morning, walk the front nine with their dad, and then watch the back nine from the clubhouse, holding their breath through every shot and celebrating each birdie. And his mother was right there at Augusta National, cheering her heart out next to them. “She kept saying she’s so proud of me,” he shared later. “That my dad would be so proud if he was here.”  Through all the victories, challenges, and the time that passed, Kultida Woods remained a constant presence in Tiger Woods’s life.

Reflecting on their journey, Tiger Woods said, “It’s incredible. It’s been 22 years, and life continues to move forward. But there’s one thing that’s always been steady: my mom was there. I told her, ‘We did it. I love you so much, Mom.’” Tiger Woods never stopped talking about his mother, and that was how close they were. Her loss has indeed left a void in his heart that no one else can ever fill, and it will take him a long time to recover from that! Our condolences are with him.