Despite many expecting Tiger Woods to be praised this past weekend for competing and making the cut in the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational, he’s instead in hot water for a “prank” he pulled on fellow golfer Justin Thomas.
Longtime friends and competitors, Woods and Thomas, were grouped together on the opening days of the tournament, and following a drive on one of the holes Thursday, where Woods out-drove the younger Thomas by 10 yards, the more seasoned golfer played his prank.
As the camera’s watched the pair make their way from the tee box, Woods appeared to put something in Thomas’ hand before he quickly dropped it on the ground after realizing what it was. While television cameras were unable to pick up the item, photographers standing by got a clear picture of the item, a Tampax tampon.
As the two were laughing about what Woods later called a “prank” misinterpreted, social media began lashing out at the arguably second-best golfer ever.
The following day, Woods apologized for the prank, saying, “it was supposed to be all fun and games, and obviously, it hasn’t turned out that way.”
“If I offended anybody in any way, shape, or form, I’m sorry. It was not intended to be that way,” Woods said. “It was just, we play pranks on one another all the time, and virally, I think this did not come across that way.”
Woods was ridiculed throughout his round on Friday by sports pundits and spectators alike, with one onlooker yelling “Tampon!” as he lined up for a putt.
Those outside the sport of golf have spoken out about the incident, as female soccer player Alex Greenwood shared during a press conference that Woods “is a massive role model within the sport” and that she thinks he’ll be disappointed with what he did.
Actor Chad Lowe called the move from Woods “misogynistic,” as Olympian Michael Johnson criticized his apology, saying he’s never had to own his mistakes. Countless others have also shared their disapproval.
However, not everyone is upset with the prank from Woods, as many, including some political voices, shared that he should not have apologized and that people are too sensitive.
Among those backing the golfer’s prank were Donald Trump Jr., Tomi Lahren, wrestler Rick Flair, and more, all of whom say the move was only a joke and that people don’t have a sense of humor.
Either way, you look at it, the prank from Woods took away from what should have been a special weekend and celebration for the golfer who returned to regular PGA Tour events for the first time since his gnarly car accident that almost took his leg.
Woods finished the invitational tied for the 45th spot with a final score of -1 after closing out his final round +2.
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