Earl Woods, who inspired and moulded his son Eldrick into a golf legend, died on Wednesday at age 74, superstar child Tiger Woods and wife Kultida at his bedside just before cancer claimed his life.
”He was my best friend and greatest role model and I will miss him deeply,” Woods said in a Wednesday night posting on his website.
”He was the person I looked up to more than anyone. He was instrumental in helping me develop the drive to achieve, but his role — as well as my mother’s — was one of support and guidance, not interference.”
Earl Woods died in the Cypress, California, home where he and his Thai wife raised their famous son, the 10-time major champion announced on his website.
”I’m very saddened to share the news of my fathers passing at home early this morning,” Woods said.
”My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend.
”I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and Im honoured to continue his legacy of sharing and caring.”
Former Green Beret soldier Earl Woods had been battling prostate cancer since 1998. He was treated with radiation but in 2004 the cancer returned and spread to other areas of his body.
”All of us at the PGA Tour are very saddened to learn of the passing of Tiger Woods’ father Earl. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to Tiger and his family during this very sad time,” PGA Tour commisioner Tim Finchem said.
”Earl Woods will always be remembered for the tremendous way in which he and Tiger’s mother Kultida provided Tiger with every opportunity to develop the physical and mental qualities that enabled Tiger to become the worlds best golfer.”
Dozens of PGA rivals expressed their sorrow to Woods and his family, appreciating the legacy Earl Woods left to the sporting world in his son.
”He had a big influence on Tiger and I know he’ll be remembered as a great man and a great mentor,” Australian player Adam Scott said.
”I just wish Tiger and his family my best and hope he gets through this tough time. We’ll look forward to seeing him back out here soon.”
Concerns over his father’s health prompted Woods to make a round-trip cross-country flight for a visit on the eve of the Players Championship in March.
His father’s health was a worry as he played last month’s Masters tournament, the first time his father had not made the trip to Georgia to watch his son at the event.
One of the enduring moments in Woods’ career was the scene of him hugging his father after walking off the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club following his 1997 Masters victory, the first major victory by a black golfer.
That brought the onset of ”Tigermania”, the global focus upon Woods that helped inspire Earl Woods to tell Sports Illustrated that his son would one day be a unifying messiah-like figure to bring people around the world together.
In some ways, Woods has done that by inspiring a new generation of rivals to adopt the game while pushing older players to improve fitness and strength in order to remain competitive.
Earl Woods had been a regular member of galleries watching his son when healthy but had not seen Tiger play since December of 2004 at the World Challenge event hosted by Woods.
Retired US Army lieutenant colonel Earl Woods introduced his son to golf shortly after the boy took his first steps and developed him into the game’s greatest player, often by distracting him as he tried to focus on putts.
Tiger Woods began swinging a club at nine months old and was on television at age two. He won three US Amateur titles before turning professional in 1996 and starting his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles.
Woods has gone on to win 48 PGA titles and more than $58-million in prize money.
Earl Woods was more than merely a mentor to his son. He was the first black scholarship player in the now defunct US collegiate Big 12 Conference, playing catcher on the Kansas State baseball team, graduating in 1953.
Woods served two tours of duty in Vietnam and made friends with South Vietnamese Army soldier Vuong Dang Phong, whose nickname was ”Tiger”, and was stationed in Thailand, where he met Kultida Punsawad, who became his second wife.
Earl Woods is survived by Kultida and Tiger, sons Kevin and Earl Jnr and daughter Royce from a previous marriage and a sister. – AFP
