Tiger Woods makes first public appearance since death of his mother as he steps out with Kai Trump
Tiger Woods made his first public appearance since the death of his mother Kultida on Sunday, joining Kai Trump at a PGA Tour golf event in California.
Woods has been keeping a low profile since his beloved mother passed 12 days ago, pulling out of the Genesis tournament he hosts this weekend in San Diego.
He revealed earlier in the week that he was still considering flying in to La Jolla for the conclusion of the tournament, as he tried to come to terms with Kultida’s death.
And he kept his word on Sunday, even wearing his traditional Sunday red and dark sunglasses as he walked towards the clubhouse alongside the president’s granddaughter Kai.
Kai Trump, 17, has been at Torrey Pines for the entirety of the tournament, walking the course with Rory McIlroy for a practice round earlier in the week.
She was back on Sunday and strolled in alongside golf legend Woods, who looked somber as he surfaced for the first time this month.
Tiger Woods arrives at Torrey Pines alongside Kai Trump (left) on Sunday morning
Woods was seen publicly for the first time since the sad death of his mother Kultida
Woods did manage to get out and play golf last week, joining President Trump and his son Charlie for a practice round behind-closed-doors last Sunday.
Trump then immediately flew to New Orleans to watch the Super Bowl, while Woods is believed to have stayed at his home in Florida as he continued to grieve.
Woods was initially set to compete in this week’s Genesis Invitational – which is operated by his foundation and had to be moved from Riviera in Los Angeles to Torrey Pines in San Diego.
‘I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready,’ Woods said in a statement on X on Monday.
‘I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.’
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.
Kai, meanwhile, is soon to head to the University of Miami to continue her rise in the golfing world, and it was reported earlier this week that she already holds a $1.2m NIL valuation before hitting a single ball.
Kai and Tiger were flanked by security as they arrived to watch the final round of the Genesis
Woods backed out of competing in the Genesis Invitational to continue mourning his mother
Woods has been absent from the PGA Tour calendar since the passing of his mom, Kultida
She is currently a senior at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Florida but announced her commitment to The U last year.
Miami has one of the top golf programs in the US, previously winning a national championship, and Trump is set to be the new star of the school.
Back in August, she said: ‘I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami.
‘I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey.’
