A day before his terrible accident in 2021, Tiger spoke about his love for his daughter, Sam Alexis Woods. The legend was on the golf course with Jada Pinkett Smith. They were filming the first episode of Golf Digest’s mini-series: ‘A Round with Tiger: Celebrity Lessons.’
Jada went on to ask him about his daughter and if she had taught Woods anything. And Woods responded with a laugh, and said, “What has my daughter taught me? I don’t like boys.” He then added in and said, “She has taught me how to be more patient.” Woods’ daughter, Sam, was named after Tiger himself, because his father used to call him Sam as a child.
Woods said, “Daddy’s little girl. I love it.” Jada, who, like Woods, has both a daughter and a son with her superstar actor husband, Will Smith, added, “I have this thing about… I feel like every dude should have a daughter.” And Tiger, who knew firsthand how his daughter had changed his life, could not disagree.
A day after the interview, Woods was in a car accident, suffering numerous serious injuries and requiring surgery. A little over a year after, a ceremony was held to induct Woods into the Hall of Fame. His daughter Sam spoke there, leaving the whole crowd with a lump in their throats. And Tiger with tears streaming down his face.
Sam stated that when Tiger was involved in the accident, she and the rest of his family were concerned that he would not have both legs when he returned home. And yet there he was. “You’re not only about to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but you’re standing here on your own two feet,” she said.
Sam said, “This is why you deserve this. You’re a fighter, you’ve defied the odds every time.” And Sam was right—the 82-time PGA Tour winner was indeed a fighter. He fought for every win he ever got, and when it came down to it, he fought for his family and his own life.