Tiger Woods returned to action for the first time since the death of his mother for a TGL match in Florida – where she watched him play for the last time before passing.
Woods walked out for Tuesday’s event at SoFi Center with 16-year-old son Charlie by his side, just two weeks after the devastating loss of mom Kultida.
The golf legend announced on February 4 that Kultida, who he credits for inspiring his legendary career in the sport, had died at the age of 80 in a heartbreaking statement on social media.
As he came to terms with her passing, Tiger withdrew from playing in last week’s Genesis Invitational despite attending the final day of the tournament in Torrey Pines, San Diego.
And two days on from that appearance he made an emotional return to competitive action to play in TGL, the new golf-simulator league he recently launched with good friend Rory McIlroy.
Before his Jupiter Links Golf Club’s match against the New York Golf Club, Woods admitted his sadness at returning to SoFi Center for the first time since his mom’s death, after she watched him play for the final time there back on January 27.
Tiger Woods returned to action for the first time since his mother’s death alongside son Charlie
Woods lined up for a TGL match in Florida, where his mom watched him play for the last time
‘It’s a process,’ Woods told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt before the match. ‘This was the last time she ever watched me play. It’s a bit emotional coming in here tonight.’
When asked what he’ll remember most about Kultida’s advice in his golf career, Woods added with a smile: ‘She was a hard lady. Very disciplined, very hard.
‘She was very direct about her feelings, her emotions. She let you know either way.
‘But she was always so supportive of me going out there and playing. It was incredible.’
