Being the daughter of the world’s best golfer hasn’t spared Sam Alexis Woods from experiencing hardship. If something, it has meant rising up underneath the glare of the highlight and navigating the distinctive challenges that include having such a well-known final identify. Between her dad and mom’ scandalous divorce and the tragic lack of her beloved grandma, Kultida Woods, Sam has endured lots. Nonetheless, her dad and mom — Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren — strived to protect Sam from the undesirable consideration and provides her and her brother, Charlie Woods, a semblance of normalcy. Nevertheless, that proved unimaginable when Tiger’s dishonest scandal broke in 2009, subjecting his spouse and their youngsters to relentless media harassment.

“When my youngsters have been born, we solely launched images in order that they, the paparazzi, couldn’t chase them,” Tiger stated in his 2010 press convention addressing the controversy. “Nevertheless, my conduct does not make it proper for the media to observe my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter to high school and report the varsity’s location. … Please go away my spouse and children alone.”

Through the years, Tiger has additionally admitted his regrets over not being a hands-on father to his two youngsters — or not less than not sufficient. In 2010, he spoke to Reuters about sacrificing household time for his love of golf, saying, “You are feeling responsible for not being there, for not serving to out.” Nonetheless, he insisted that his youngsters will all the time be his primary precedence: “To spend time with them, it is the best factor on the planet,” he informed CNN in 2011 (through the Every day Mail). “Being current in your youngsters is way extra helpful than something [else] you do.” Sadly, Sam’s actuality might not precisely line up together with her father’s statements concerning fatherhood. These are the tragic particulars about Sam Alexis Woods.

Sam Alexis Woods was solely two and a half years outdated when her dad and mom, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, went by way of a extremely publicized divorce. The well-known golfer and Swedish ex-model had been married for over 5 years earlier than they cut up in 2009 amid information that Woods had cheated on Nordegren with a number of ladies all through their marriage. In 2010, he confessed to his infidelity throughout a media convention after searching for therapy for intercourse dependancy. “I used to be mistaken. I used to be silly. … I introduced this disgrace on myself,” stated Tiger. “I damage my spouse, my youngsters, my mom, my spouse’s household, my buddies, my basis, and children all around the globe who admired me.”

Rising up within the aftermath of their father’s dishonest scandal could not have been straightforward for both of Tiger’s youngsters — however particularly Sam. Nevertheless, in his interview with Time, Tiger shared that he’d taken it upon himself to speak to his youngsters about what actually occurred. “I used to be responsible, and so I am taking initiative with the youngsters.” He believed it was finest for them to be taught the reality from him somewhat than letting them hear it from others. He additionally vowed to provide his youngsters the complete image as soon as they’re sufficiently old to know. “I can inform them completely something,” claimed Tiger. “However in the meantime, it is simply, ‘Hey, Daddy made some errors. However it’s O.Ok. We’re all human.'”

With golf typically taking Tiger Woods away from his household, Sam Alexis Woods developed an aversion to the game. “She has a damaging connotation to the sport,” Tiger claimed in an interview with “At the moment” host Carlson Daly. “As a result of, on the time, when she was rising up, golf took daddy away from her. I needed to pack, and I needed to go away, and I would be gone for weeks.” Thus, as an alternative of following in her father’s footsteps like her brother, Charlie Woods, Sam went in a unique course and pursued soccer. “We have developed our personal relationship, our personal rapport, that is exterior of golf,” Tiger stated in relation to Sam. “We do issues that [don’t] contain golf,” noting that with Charlie, it was a totally totally different dynamic.

In his chat with Time, Tiger admitted that it by no means crossed his thoughts to surrender his love of golf and give attention to being a household man. Earlier than he had youngsters with Elin Nordegren, his complete world revolved across the sport. “Are you kidding me? What am I going to do, go bass fishing?” Tiger quipped. However seeing his youngsters develop and pursue their very own passions made him notice there are extra vital issues in life than the sport. “Oh my God, it offers me a lot pleasure,” he gushed. “My youngsters are extra vital to me than the rest on the planet. … I’ve come to comprehend that now.”

When she was 13, Sam Alexis Woods virtually misplaced her father, Tiger Woods, to a terrifying automobile accident in Los Angeles. In accordance with stories, the golfer had been driving alongside Hawthorne Boulevard at round 7 a.m. when his SUV struck a wood signal and crashed right into a tree earlier than coming to a full cease on the aspect of the highway. He was instantly taken to a hospital, the place Tiger underwent a prolonged process to deal with his accidents. “He’s presently awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room,” Tiger’s workforce stated in a press release posted to X, previously Twitter. “Thanks in your well-wishes and privateness for him and his household.” 

Throughout her introduction speech at Tiger’s World Golf Corridor of Fame induction ceremony, Sam mirrored on the accident and referred to it as one in every of Tiger’s “final lows.” She additionally described the expertise as “one of many scariest moments of [Tiger’s] life, and ours.” She recalled, “We did not know for those who’d come dwelling with two legs or not,” including, “Now, you are not solely about to be inducted into the Corridor of Fame, however you are standing right here by yourself two toes. That is why you deserve this.”

Sam Alexis Woods was born a yr after her grandfather, the late golfer Earl Woods, died of a coronary heart assault associated to prostate most cancers in Could 2006. He was 74 years outdated. Although she by no means had the prospect to fulfill her grandpa, Sam grew up round her grandmother and was very near Kultida Woods, identified inside their household merely as Tilda. When information of Tiger Woods’ dishonest scandal broke in 2009, Individuals reported that Tilda was very involved for Elin Nordegren and her two grandkids. “She needs to know the way [Tiger] may do that to his household,” a household buddy dished to the journal. “She likes Elin, and adores her grandchildren.” They added, “She’s frightened about them. She does not wish to see them damage.”

Sadly, Sam misplaced her grandmother in February 2025 as a consequence of undisclosed circumstances. She was 78 years outdated. Her father shared the household information in a press release posted on his social media pages, together with Instagram. “It’s with heartfelt disappointment that I wish to share that my pricey mom, Kultida Woods, handed away early this morning,” Tiger wrote alongside a photograph of his mom. “My Mother was a pressure of nature all her personal, her spirit was merely plain. … She was my greatest fan, best supporter, with out her none of my private achievements would have been attainable.” He additionally acknowledged the impression Tilda had on her grandchildren. “She was liked by so many, however particularly by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. … Love you Mother,” Tiger wrote.