Woods honors dad with statue

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The unveiling of a statue at the Tiger Woods Learning Center turned into a family photo Monday, and a reminder for Woods about the powerful bond between a father and a child.

Behind him was a bronze of Woods wrapping his arm around the shoulder of his late father, Earl Woods, the backbone of a foundation that led to a 35,000-square-foot educational center next to the golf course where they grew up. The center has been open just under two years and already has reached more than 16,000 kids.

Woods and his mother, Kultida, posed with 7-month-old daughter Sam. As photographers moved into position, Sam leaned back in her grandmother’s arms and stared up at her father, bringing a wide smile from the world’s No. 1 golfer.

“Ever since the day he passed, I have yet to go a day without thinking of my dad,” said Woods, whose father died in May 2006. “Now that I’ve had Sam, it’s amazing how I keep reflecting on things he taught me. I can’t wait to pass that on. That’s one reason I worked so hard on my foundation to expand this. He was all about helping others.”

The 8-foot bronze was designed by Elliot and Ivan Schwartz of Studio EIS, and it will remain in the lobby of the learning center.

• Woods says Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman meant no harm when she used the term “lynch” during television commentary about him, and he regards the issue closed as he returns to work this week.

“It was unfortunate,” Woods said in his first public comments since Tilghman was suspended for two weeks. “Kelly and I did speak. There was no ill intent. She regrets saying it. In my eyes, it’s all said and done.”