WASHINGTON, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Tiger Woods' father, Earl Woods, has died at 74, the golfer said on Wednesday on his Web site.

    "I'm very saddened to share the news of my father's passing at home early this morning. My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply," Woods wrote.

    Earl Woods, who was more determined to raise a good son than a great golfer and mentored him through his early career, had been battling prostate cancer since 1998.

    Woods had spent the last week with his father after returning from a trip to New Zealand where he acted as best man at the wedding for his caddy, Steve Williams.

    At the time, the 10-time major winner said he was unlikely to play competitive golf again until next month's U.S. Open at Winged Foot in New York. Enditem