Tiger Woods admits the loss of his mother Kultida has been a ‘tough process to go through’ after speaking out for the first time since announcing her death earlier this month.

The golf legend confirmed his mom had passed away in a heartbreaking statement on February 5, describing her as his biggest fan and greatest supporter’ while crediting her for his legendary achievements in the sport.

Yet after revealing earlier in the week that he was still considering showing his face in La Jolla, Woods kept his word when he joined Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai at the PGA Tour event in California on Sunday.

‘Mom was my rock. My dad worked at McDonnell Douglas at the time, working on the Delta rocket, and mom would take me to every junior event here in Southern California.’

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.

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.

Woods 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.