Kultida Woods Has Passed Away. She Was Tiger's Rock.

Tiger Woods’ mother and rock, Kultida, passed away Tuesday morning. It hit the sports world like a punch in the stomach. The news was announced on the Tiger Woods social media.

"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."

Tiger Woods, Mom Kultida Woods 1997 Motorola Western Open, July PGA TOUR Archive Via: Getty Images

So much has been written about Tiger’s relationship with his father, but Kultida was his rock. It was her who drove him to golf tournaments as a child. It was her who stayed at home when the family could’ve used some extra money to allow her son to chase his dream. She’d show up at events, standing quietly behind the ropes and cheering on her son—all the way from junior golf to grandest stages in the sport. She was at TGL just recently, warmly rooting on her son in his newest venture. This is horribly sudden and sad.

“My family made a tough decision,” Woods said at his Hall of Fame induction speech, “and at the age of 14-1/2 we took out a second mortgage so I could go out and play the AJGA Tour. Mom stayed at home. Dad traveled. And I went out and played the AJGA Tour on our second mortgage.

“So without the sacrifices of Mom who took me to all those junior golf tournaments, and Dad, who's not here, but who instilled in me this work ethic to fight for what I believe in, chase after my dreams, nothing's ever going to be given to you, everything's going to be earned. If you don't go out there and put in the work, you don't go out and put in the effort, one, you're not going to get the results, but two, and more importantly, you don't deserve it. You need to earn it.”

Whenever Woods speaks about his mother it is with profound gratitude and admiration. So many of us feel those same deep emotions about our own Moms.

Life in a fishbowl is extremely difficult, and Tiger’s been stuck in it since he started winning all those golf tournaments at such a young age. Kultida stuck by his side through the entire journey. Through the ups and downs.

The golf world mourns today, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Woods family.