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Tiger Woods has come under fire after jokingly handing playing partner Justin Thomas a tampon for outdriving him during the Genesis Invitational in southern California.
The incident occurred as the American duo walked off the ninth tee during the first round with Thomas – a close friend of Woods – laughing before dropping the tampon onto the ground as the 15-time major champion put his arm around him.
Woods, who was making his return to top-level action for the first time since missing the cut at the British Open in July, was in a group with PGA Championship winner Thomas and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.
He received a mixed reaction for his prank on social media, with some accusing him of sexism.
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Renowned US golf writer Rick Reilly was clearly unimpressed, writing: “All his humour is gross and tops out at 7th grade.”
Sarah Stir, a sports presenter for Sky Sports in the UK, went further, describing the incident as “extremely disappointing” and “crass”.
“To me it was laddy, blokey behaviour, passing him the tampon effectively saying, ‘I’ve outdriven you’, ‘you’re driving the ball like a woman’”, she wrote on Twitter.
“I’m surprised the most recognisable golfer on the planet has put himself in this position to be exposed in this way.”
USA Today columnist Christine Brennan, concurred, saying “insecure” Woods’ message to Thomas was obvious: “you play like a girl”.
SCREENGRAB
Tiger Woods hands Justin Thomas a tampon as a prize for outdriving him at the Genesis Invitational in California.
“What a bizarre thing for a “girl dad” to do. His daughter Sam, now 15, grew up playing soccer and had just played in a tournament in Florida when she arrived to watch him win the Masters in 2019.
“… He employed basic misogyny to insult his good friend Thomas, a knee-slapper of a dig against female athletes: You hit the ball like a girl!”
And author Julie DiCaro tweeted: “Ugh. All the guys think this is hilarious, but the joke is denigrating women. So played out and stupid.”
However, not everyone was offended by Woods’ juvenile japes. Paige Spiranac, a golf instructor and social media personality, came out in defence of the 47-year-old, saying it was “funny”.
“If anyone tries to cancel Tiger over this we riot,” Spiranac wrote on Twitter.
“I need a LIV vs PGA tour Ryder Cup type event just so Tiger can give Phil (Mickelson) a tampon after outdriving him,” she added.
Woods was not asked about the incident following his opening round 69 at Riviera but world No 2 McIlroy admitted he had not enjoyed being outdriven by his playing companion.
“I’m going to go work on the range,” McIlroy said after his four-under 67. “I put my driver up a click in loft at the start of the week, I might have to turn it back down again. I don’t like him hitting it by me.”
Woods was recovering from a fifth back surgery when he crashed his car in Los Angeles two days after the Genesis Invitational two years ago, suffering multiple fractures of his right leg and ankle.
In November 2009 he was involved in another car crash which led to the public breakdown of his marriage amid revelations of infidelity.
In 2017, Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was found asleep at the wheel of his car. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Thomas has also been embroiled in past controversies, using a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tour of Champions in Hawaii in 2021.
Television microphones picked up the American’s remark after he missed a five-foot par putt on the fourth hole. He later apologised, saying it was inexcusable” and he was “extremely embarrassed”.
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