LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Tiger Woods announced on Tuesday that his mother Kutilda had passed away, paying tribute to her as “my biggest fan.”

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” the 15-time major champion wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

Thai national Kutilda met Woods’ father Earl when he was serving in the US military in Bangkok in the late 1960s.

An ever-present on the golf course during her son’s greatest triumphs, Woods has often spoken affectionately of how his mother’s support helped shape his career, noting in an interview how he was more fearful of her than his father.

“He was very worldly and deep in his thinking,” Woods said of his father. “My mom was the enforcer. My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him.

“My mom’s still here and I’m still deathly afraid of her. She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding. She was the hand, she was the one, I love her so much.”