Tiger Woods’s father, Earl, dies at 74

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Earl Woods, who started his son,
Tiger Woods, on the path toward golf dominance at a young age
and mentored him through his early career, has died, the golfer
said on Wednesday on his Web site. Earl Woods was 74.

“I’m very saddened to share the news of my father’s passing
at home early this morning. My dad was my best friend and
greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply,” Woods wrote.

Earl Woods had been battling prostate cancer since 1998.

Woods had spent the last week with his father after
returning from a trip to New Zealand where he acted as best man
at the wedding for his caddy, Steve Williams.

At the time, the 10-time major winner said he was unlikely
to play competitive golf again until next month’s U.S. Open at
Winged Foot in New York.