Tiger Woods Writes Letter to Bullied Boy Who Attempted Suicide: Get the Details

Golf superstar encourages boy teased for his stuttering condition

By Michelle Tak May 11, 2015 11:01 PMTags
Tiger Woods, The PLAYERS Championship golf tournament, 2015, WidgetEPA/TANNEN MAURY/LANDOV

Despite Tiger Woods' recent split with longtime girlfriend Lindsey Vonn, the golfer found time to be a source of encouragement to one fan.

The 39-year-old golf superstar recently wrote a letter to a high school kid named Dillon who attempted suicide after being bullied for his stutter. Dillon is being mentored by former LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) touring pro Sophie Gustafson, who also battles a stuttering condition.

Golf Digest's Ron Sirak wrote a piece about Gustafson last month, in which the 41-year-old shared Dillon's story and revealed an email sent by the boy's mom regarding Dillon's suicide attempt. 

"On the week of April 16th, he had a bad week, he had been teased about his stuttering. That evening, he attempted suicide," the email read. "He yelled downstairs 'Good bye, I love you.' Me and my husband immediately ran upstairs, his bedroom door was locked, we busted down the door and he was sitting on the window and was getting ready to jump. We were able to grab him and keep him from going head first onto the concrete below."

Dillon's mom revealed that he continues to watch golf and is a fan of Woods. "Is there anyway we could get his story to Tiger and see if he could help find something encouraging for [him] to look forward to?" she inquired of Gustafson.

After learning this, Sirak made sure to relay the message to the professional golf star.

Enter: Woods!

According to Gustafson's tweet Sunday, the Big Cat sent Dillon an encouraging letter that seems to have changed the course of things. "Thanks so much @TigerWoods for sending my friend Dillon a letter. He got so happy! It's being framed and hanged. #class," the post reads.

For those wondering if Dillon is well...

"Yes he is. Small steps but he really appreciates all support that has been shown for him," Gustafson revealed in a tweet to one follower's inquiry.