Tiger Woods wouldn't commit to any future golf events following his return to action during Jupiter Links Golf Club's loss to New York Golf Club in TGL Match 9 Tuesday (February 18), his first competitive event following the death of his mother, Kultida, earlier this month.
“I really haven't thought about golf, so I don't think I'm going to be thinking about it for just a little bit here,” Woods said when asked by a reporter about his willingness to play more golf and if he was considering participating in the Cognizant Classic next week.
The fifteen-time major champion said he "had a hard time driving down" to the TGL event, which was the last place his mother saw him play and hadn't hit a golf ball since playing a round with President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach prior to the Genesis Invitational prior to Tuesday's event.
“I had a really hard time getting here and then reliving all the moments that we've had, my mom, how excited she was to have [my son] Charlie drive her here. So those are some great moments and great memories. It's been a hard process," he added.
Woods announced the death of his mother on February 4 in posts shared on his social media accounts.
"It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. 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," Woods wrote.
Kultida, 81, a native of Thailand, shared Tiger with her late ex-husband, Earl, who is credited for training the golf legend, though Tiger has credited his mother as "the enforcer" who gave him the idea of wearing his signature red on Sunday final rounds as his "power circle."
“My mom doesn’t get enough credit,” Tiger said while accepting the 2024 Bob Jones Award, the USGA's highest honor, via NBC Sports. “Everyone thought 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. She’s always been there through thick and thin.”
Woods, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential golfers of all-time ranks second all-time behind only Jack Nicklaus (18) in career majors and has 82 PGA Tour victories, tied with Sam Snead for the most all-time.