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Tiger Woods's father Earl dies at 74

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 May 2006, 16:04 CDT

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Earl Woods, who started his son Tiger on the path toward golfing pre-eminence at a tender age then mentored him through his early career, died on Wednesday at the age of 74.

Earl Woods had been battling prostate cancer since 1998.

"I'm very saddened to share the news of my father's passing at home early this morning," his son, the world number one, said on his official website.

"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 I'm honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring.

The 10-times major champion had spent the last week with his father at his home in Cypress, California after returning from a trip to New Zealand where he attended the wedding of his caddie Steve Williams.

At the time, Woods said he was unlikely to play competitive golf again until next month's U.S. Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York.

His father's condition had deteriorated since the end of last year and Woods junior skipped the final practice day for the Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in March to spend time with him.

BACK LESIONS

Earl's prostate cancer was initially eradicated by radiation therapy before it returned in 2004, causing lesions on his back and a tumor behind his left eye.

More radiation therapy followed and he was given a clean bill of health last year before his condition again deteriorated.

Last month, he was too weak to travel to Augusta, Georgia for his son's title defense at the U.S. Masters, missing the opening major of the year for the first time with Tiger in the field.

His son, who tied for third at Augusta National, has not played tournament golf since then.

Tiger, who was introduced to golf as a young child by Earl, has often attributed his mental toughness in tournaments to his former Green Beret father.

Earl nicknamed his son 'Tiger' after a Vietnamese soldier who became a good friend when he served with the U.S. military in Vietnam.

Earl, a former catcher with Kansas State who became the first black to play baseball in the Big Eight Conference, is also survived by three children from his first marriage.

Source: REUTERS

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