Tiger Woods will not play in this week’s Genesis Invitational after admitting he is ‘still processing’ the death of his mother last week.
Woods is the host of the event – being held temporarily at Torrey Pines in San Diego after the wildfires near its usual home at Riviera – and was slated to be in the field.
But in a heartbreaking statement posted to social media on Monday, Woods revealed: ‘I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready.
‘I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.
‘Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my Mom’s passing.’
Woods announced the death of Kultida at the age of 80 last week, but no cause of death has yet been revealed.
Tiger Woods has not played competitive golf since the death of his mother Kultida last week
Woods was very close with his mom and has pulled out of the Genesis Invitational this week
The 15-time major winner was extremely close to his mom, who saw him emerge to win the Masters as a 21-year-old in 1997, conquer the game in an era of relentless dominance before standing by him during his downfall from 2009’s sex scandal that cost him his first marriage and millions in endorsement deals.
She was present in the crowd last week in Florida when Woods, 49, played in the TGL against Rory McIlroy on January 27.
Woods has not played competitively since revealing the news of Kultida’s death, but he was out on the course with President Donald Trump on Sunday.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Woods, his son Charlie and Trump hit the course, before the president hopped on Air Force One to head to New Orleans for the game.
The golf icon was out on the course to play a few holes with President Donald Trump Sunday
Woods received the Presidential Medal of Freedom with his mom in 2019 from Trump
Woods was set to head to San Diego in the coming days for the start of the tournament on Thursday, but it now appears he will stay at his home in Florida for a while longer.
In June 2024, speaking upon receiving the Bob Jones award – one of the most prestigious individual honors in golf – Woods paid an emotional tribute to his mom.
‘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.
‘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.’
Woods poses with his mother after winning the US Open in 2000 at Pebble Beach
As well as being there to witness her son’s all-conquering career in golf, she was also there during his downfall, too, in Thanksgiving 2009.
After his string of infidelities on his then-wife Elin Nordegren had been exposed, culminating in a car crash at his Florida home in the early hours of the morning, Woods resurfaced three months later at a press conference where he apologized for his affairs.
His mom was one of the few people sat in the room with him that day.
Woods said that despite her public support, she made sure that he faced the consequences of his actions alongside Nordegren.
