Tiger Woods’s father Earl dies at 74

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.