‘You Mean More to Me Than Life Itself’: Late Earl Woods Once Wrote a Heartwarming Note For His Son Tiger Woods

The relationship between Tiger Woods and his late father, Earl Woods, has been celebrated time and again. It is one of true sacrifice and victory. Tiger looked up to his father as his first coach and dearest friend – there was a time when he welled up tears after Earl Woods had written an open letter for his son after the triumph at the 1997 Masters Tournament.

What did Earl Woods write about Tiger Woods in the letter?

Appearing in the Oprah Winfrey show back in 1998, a young Tiger Woods was seated with his father for, among other things, promoting the latter’s publication titled ‘Playing Through’. Winfrey had a copy of the issue and proceeded to read a letter in the latter part of the book that was written by Earl Woods to his son.

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Before reading the letter, Winfrey asked Tiger whether he had read the letter, to which the former World No.1 declined. He also revealed that he had only laid eyes on the book that day itself. The letter went like this:

“Dear Tiger, You are my little man. You are my treasure. God gave you to me to nurture and to grow and to develop. I always have had your interests first and foremost in my life and it always will be. In fact, you mean more to me than life itself,”

“I can remember when I taught you that it was okay to cry and that men can cry. It was not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength…Sharing and caring for others is a way of life and it is not to be taken lightly…I pass on all of my abilities to share and to care to you,”

“I realize that you have an infinite higher capacity and capability to perpetuate this philosophy in our days…I know you will give it your all and that you will be my little man forever.”

How did Tiger react to the letter?

Even before the host had finished reading the letter, Tiger was wiping down tears. The 15-time Major winner was visibly emotional and held his father’s hands for a round of applause from the seated audience. Tiger’s father, Earl, also shed tears in what was quite a moment for the Woods household.

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