Tiger Woods apologized Friday, a day after a joke he played on playing partner Justin Thomas upset many fans.
After outdriving Thomas on the ninth hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational, Woods could be seen slipping a tampon into Thomas hand. The obvious inference: You play like a woman.
Tiger Woods had a gift for Justin Thomas after driving it past him on number nine.
(via @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/HXZEQSAhEU
— Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood) February 17, 2023
Thomas tossed the tampon on the ground and the two enjoyed a laugh together. Many fans, however, were not amused. During The Golf Channel’s coverage of the tournament Friday host Cara Banks and analyst Brandel Chamblee spent several minutes discussing the incident.
Cara Banks and Brandel Chamblee spent a few minutes discussing Tiger's tampon controversy pic.twitter.com/Flo5k0PzQQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 17, 2023
“Unfortunately, the narrative hasn’t really been focused on Tiger’s golf today,” Banks said (via Awful Announcing). “I was offended, to be totally honest with you. As a woman, I was shocked to see that the GOAT of our game, at least the active GOAT, is walking around carrying an intimate feminine hygiene product that we use to stop ourselves bleeding.
“I have no idea where this kind of premeditated act came from, let alone where he got the tampon from.”
Woods, who is the Genesis Invitational host, apologized for the incident after his round Friday.
“It was supposed to be all fun and games, and obviously it hasn’t turned out that way,” Woods said (via Sports Illustrated). “If I offended anybody, it was not the case; it was just friends having fun.
“As I said, if I offended anybody in any way, shape or form, I’m sorry. It was not intended to be that way. It was just we play pranks on one another all the time and virally I think this did not come across that way, but between us it was — it’s different.”
This easily avoidable controversy is hardly what Woods needed as he makes his first official tournament appearance since missing the cut at the British Open in July. He made the cut for the Genesis Invitational despite shooting a 3-over 74 Friday.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.