As Tiger Woods continues to grieve the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, organizers of the Genesis Invitational have announced plans to pay tribute to her. The par-4 seventh hole will display a white flag, devoid of logos and text, as a tribute to Woods’ late mother and her Buddhist faith. A post from the PGA Tour highlighted that Kultida Woods practiced Buddhism, with the color white and the number 7 being particularly significant in the religion.
White is often associated with enlightenment, knowledge, and purity. Kultida, affectionately known as Tida, was born in Thailand, where the national flag features two white stripes, symbolizing the Buddhist faith.
Earlier this month, Woods shared his sorrow on social media, describing his mother as “a force of nature all her own.” He expressed, “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.”
The 2025 Genesis Invitational commenced on Thursday at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. Woods recently announced he would not participate in the tournament as he continues to cope with his mother’s death. The seventh hole holds special significance in Woods’ illustrious career; he won the U.S. Open championship there in 2008, defeating Rocco Mediate by breaking a tie on the seventh hole after an 18-hole playoff.
Kultida met Tiger’s father, Earl, while he was stationed in Thailand. After their marriage, they moved to Brooklyn, New York, and later settled in Cypress, California, where Tiger was born. Earl Woods passed away in California in 2006. According to reports, Tiger’s full name, Eldrick, was chosen to honor both his parents, beginning with an “E” for Earl and ending with a “K” for Kultida.
