How Tiger Wood’s mother reacted after his sex scandal

Tiger Woods is heartbroken over the loss of his beloved mother, Kultida Woods, whom he lovingly described as “a force of nature all her own.”

The golf legend shared the heartbreaking news on social media, announcing that Kultida had passed away at the age of 80.

But who was this extraordinary woman who shaped Tiger’s life and left an impact that reached far beyond the golf course?

Kept a watchful eye

Kultida Woods was more than just Tiger’s mother — she was his guiding light, his biggest supporter, and the woman who instilled in him the discipline and determination that defined his legendary career.

Born in Thailand, Kultida brought her strong will and cultural heritage into Tiger’s life, shaping his worldview from an early age. Her influence went far beyond the golf course, leaving an indelible mark on the man he became.

When Kultida accompanied a young Tiger on the course, she kept a watchful eye on his behavior, adding an extra stroke to his score if he lost his temper.

She also began a touching tradition, giving him a new tiger-striped headcover every year, with the Thai words “Rak jak Mea” (“Love from Mom”) stitched on the back—an enduring symbol of her unwavering support.

Kultida Woods, born Kultida Punsawad in Thailand, met Earl Woods while he was serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Their connection grew into a deep love, leading Kultida to move to New York, where the couple married before making their home in Cypress, California.

In 1975, they welcomed their son, Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods, who would go on to become a golf legend.

Driving him to lessons

While Earl was deeply devoted to shaping Tiger’s talent, it was his mother, Kultida, who instilled in him a quiet strength — a deep sense of peace with the idea of failure. As mentioned, Kultida Woods was deeply involved in Tiger’s early golf journey, personally driving him to lessons and tournaments while teaching him the importance of patience and perseverance.

She was the one who introduced 4-year-old Tiger to golf, taking him to Heartwell Golf Course in Long Beach for his first lesson. From there, she tirelessly drove him across California, supporting his passion by ensuring he could compete in junior tournaments.

Tiger’s mom cherished watching her son play, but her pride wasn’t tied to his victories; it was rooted in how he carried himself, not how many trophies he won. Even though Tiger was fiercely competitive on the course, there was a calmness that settled over him once the game was done, according to Golf Digest.

Reflecting on his junior golf days in a 2007 interview, Tiger shared:

”I knew that if I went out there and put myself out on the limb and I failed, hey, I had love to come home to. Not everyone has that. And I know that with her, I always will. She has always, always been there for me.”

Influenced his look

Kutilda also influenced Tiger’s iconic look, encouraging him to wear red on Sundays as a symbol of good luck, according to People magazine.

A devoted Buddhist, Kultida instilled spiritual values in Tiger, encouraging him to seek guidance and balance through annual visits with monks. She was a deeply spiritual woman, and this devotion was evident in a story shared by golf journalist Jaime Diaz. He recalled sitting next to her in a van traveling through the Thai countryside in 2009, struck by her heartfelt words: “Every night I pray to the Buddha that in the next life Tiger will be my son again.”

In 2022, Kultida watched with pride as her son, Tiger, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. It was a deeply meaningful moment, shared with her family and grandchildren, honoring the remarkable achievement of her only child with her late husband, Earl, who passed away in 2006 from prostate cancer.

During his acceptance speech, Tiger, visibly emotional, struggled to hold back tears. When he spoke about how his success wouldn’t have been possible without his mom’s sacrifices, he paused, overcome with emotion. He locked eyes with Tida in the audience, and their shared smile said more than words ever could.

Emotional tribute in 2024

In June 2024, while receiving the Bob Jones Award — one of the highest individual honors in golf — Tiger gave another emotional tribute to his mother.

”My mom doesn’t get enough credit,’ he said, with her in the audience. Everyone thought that it was my dad when I went on the road, which it was, but Mom was at home. If you don’t know, Mom has been there my entire life,” he said and added:

”This award, I accept it in humbleness and just unbelievable regard for the past recipients, but I also accept it for my mommy, too.”

”She allowed me to get here. She allowed me to do these things, chase my dreams, and the support and love – I didn’t do this alone. I had the greatest rock that any child could possibly have: my mom. Thank you, Mommy.”

Her reaction after the sex scandal

Kultida Woods stood by her son through thick and thin, even during the darkest moments of his life. After Tiger’s infidelity was exposed, culminating in the infamous car crash outside his Florida home in the early hours of the morning, he faced the public and apologized for his actions in a press conference months later.

Despite the scandal, Kultida was one of the few people by his side that day, offering her support while ensuring he faced the consequences of his actions.

But reports indicated that Kultida was devastated by the scandal, feeling hurt, angry, and disappointed by her son’s actions.

A family friend told People magazine, ”She is furious with Tiger’s philandering ways. She wants to know how he could do this to his family.”

Kultida, who had always adored Elin and loved her grandchildren, was particularly concerned about their well-being. ”It was devastating to her,” the source continued. “She’s worried about them. She doesn’t want to see them hurt.”

Tiger later reflected on how deeply his mistakes had hurt the two people closest to him — his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, and his mother.

“They’ve both been brutal. They’ve both been very tough,” he said in 2010.

“Because I hurt them the most.”

How his mom helped him through the chaos

He went on to admit how painful it was to confront his actions, especially in front of his family. “Those are the two people in my life who I’m closest to, and to say the things that I’ve done, truthfully to them, was honestly very painful.”

Tiger also acknowledged that his mother’s influence had helped him through this turmoil. He realized that he had lost his way, feeling entitled—something he knew was not how he was raised.

”I had gotten away from my core values, as I said earlier. I’d gotten away from my Buddhism. And I quit meditating. I quit doing all the things that my Mom and Dad had taught me.”

It’s clear that Tiger’s mom, Kultida, played a crucial role in his life and career. She wasn’t just his biggest supporter but also a strong, loving presence who was always there for him. Despite her central role in his life, she may not have always received the recognition and attention she deserved.

But now, Kultida will now watch over her son from above, leaving behind a lasting legacy of love and influence.

In a heartfelt tribute posted on his social media accounts, Tiger wrote, ”My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh.”

He continued, “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.”