Min Woo Lee, a couple minutes before his Sunday morning tee time, took off his hat. He was seemingly touched, he seemingly hoped the Tiger Woods’ family was touched, and he seemingly hoped others would be, too, so a photo was snapped, and it was posted to his social media channels.
On his hat was a small red pin rimmed in yellow. Inside the pin were the words “For Tida.”
On his post, Lee added just a heart emoji and tagged Woods.
Others Sunday also wore the pin at the Genesis Invitational, the event hosted by the 15-time major winner. Twelve days earlier, Woods revealed the death of Kultida Woods, his mother, and in the time since, the tributes have been many.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” Woods’ social media accounts wrote on Feb. 4 in announcing her death. “My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom.”
On the night of Feb. 4, in play at TGL, the simulator-based league Woods co-founded, Tida Woods was given a moment of silence and a video tribute. At this week’s Genesis, played at Torrey Pines after it was moved from Riviera due to the Los Angeles wildfires, the flag on the seventh hole has been just white — according to a PGA Tour release, the color white symbolizes purity, wisdom and longevity, while the number seven is tied to seven factors of enlightenment.
Woods had originally committed to play in the Genesis, then withdrew on Monday. He was on the grounds for Sunday’s final round.
“I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready,” Woods wrote on social media in announcing his withdrawal. “I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.
“Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my Mom’s passing.”
In his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, Rory McIlroy was sympathetic to Woods after hearing he wouldn’t play this week.
“Very understandable,” McIlroy said. “He’s had a lot go on in his life unfortunately over the last couple of weeks. Yeah, I just think with his mom passing and then everything that he needs to go through to get ready to play a tournament, yeah, look, it’s unfortunate that he’s not here and with us, but ultimately it’s obviously the right call.”
