Eppe Franklyne –
- Tiger Woods withdrew from the Genesis Invitational to process the death of his mother, Kultida Woods, who passed away unexpectedly at 80.
- Woods expressed his difficulty in preparing for the tournament while mourning the loss, stating he was “still processing her loss.”
- He was replaced in the field by Jake Knapp and had previously not competed on the PGA Tour since the 2023 British Open.
- Woods reflected on his mother’s influence, describing her as a “force of nature” and his “greatest rock.”
- The Genesis Invitational, relocated from Riviera due to wildfires, holds significant personal meaning for Woods, who has won at Torrey Pines multiple times.
Tiger Woods made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, citing the emotional toll of his mother, Kultida Woods’s, sudden passing. Kultida, 80, passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday, and Woods took to social media to express his challenges in coping with her loss. “I’m still processing her loss,” Woods wrote, explaining that he wasn’t ready to play despite his efforts to prepare, knowing it was what his mother would have wanted. He also expressed gratitude for the support he’s received since her passing.
Woods had entered the event as a host, marking a surprising return to competition after his last PGA Tour appearance at the 2023 British Open. He was replaced in the field by Jake Knapp.
Kultida Woods had been a steady influence on her son throughout his life, instilling values such as sportsmanship and a “killer instinct” on the course. She was also the one who encouraged him to wear red on Sundays as his signature power color. Her passing was particularly sudden, as she had been planning to attend the Genesis Invitational this week, an event that benefits Woods’ foundation.
Torrey Pines holds deep personal significance for Woods, who has achieved major success at the public course, including winning the 2008 U.S. Open despite suffering from a double stress fracture in his left leg. It also remains a site of personal milestones, with his last top-10 finish on the PGA Tour coming there in 2020, before a car accident severely injured his right leg.
This year’s Genesis Invitational was relocated to Torrey Pines due to devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, adding further emotion to Woods’s decision to withdraw.
