Tiger Woods is back in his first tournament with a cut and without a cart since last July’s Open Championship, and his trash talk has made a comeback to the course as well.
Woods outdrove Justin Thomas on the ninth hole of the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday, and as the two began to walk down the fairway at Riviera Country Club, Woods appeared to hand Thomas a small cylinder. Closer views of the exchange showed it to be a Tampax tampon.
When Woods handed Thomas the product, Thomas took a brief look at what it was he had been handed before throwing it to the ground. The two began to laugh after the exchange.
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
MORE: Tiger Woods live scores from Genesis Open
Throughout his first round at the Genesis Open, Woods seemed to be enjoying himself, laughing with Thomas and Rory McIlroy as he played to a tie for 27th with a 2-under 69. He ended his day with birdies on each of the last three holes to finish just five shots behind the leaders.
Woods was not asked about the exchange between he and Thomas at the ninth hole, but overall praised his day playing alongside the two in his return.
“It was nice that I had this unbelievable pairing, two great guys, two great friends,” Woods said. “It was a great round. The ebb and flow of needling each other, encouraging each other and telling stories. Because I hadn’t been out here so I’ve missed some of the things that have transpired on Tour, which is kind of fun.”
MORE: How to watch Tiger Woods at Genesis Invitational
Woods’ gesture was met with mixed reactions from viewers, with some calling out the immaturity of the prank and others reacting more positively to seeing Woods’ trash talk back in the tournament.
See, it’s funny because feminine hygiene products are INHERENTLY emasculating, so when a man makes another man touch a tampon, he’s saying “I am a bigger and better man than you, because, GROSS, I made you touch a wrapped Tampax!”.https://t.co/iORVyY27hG
— Dr. Ann Olivarius (@AnnOlivarius) February 17, 2023
Call me woke. Call me a snowflake. Call me “offended”. Whatever. But handing another male golfer a tampon is objectively not funny. It shows the sophistication of a 14 year old schoolboy. @TigerWoods
— Josh Jeffery (@JeffCarnage) February 17, 2023
Really, Tiger? Do better.https://t.co/FPUm8fY1Ka
— Charles Curtis (@bycharlescurtis) February 17, 2023
At a time where Women’s golf is pushing on to higher and higher levels, I don’t think the “gift” that Tiger gave to JT helps golf’s image. Is it supposed to be funny because women supposedly can’t hit a ball? These players might have to say about that:
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) February 17, 2023
Tiger Woods is back, baby. Golf game looks good. I’m pumped.
We had no idea how he’d play or how he’d feel this week. But he’s hitting it so well, even JT needs a little help to deal it all. pic.twitter.com/uiRKButdLg
— Amanda Rose (@AmandaGolf59) February 17, 2023
C’est un génie !!!!😍😍😍😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/TTGaoJDzBS
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) February 17, 2023
Truly cannot get over the idea of Tiger Woods preparing for his first non-major start since 2020 at a tournament he’s hosting and being like “oops almost forgot to pack a tampon to hand to JT when I hit it past him” https://t.co/JIbHYBT3IY
— Brian Kirschner (@BrianKirschner_) February 17, 2023
I have a hard time believing this is real 💀 but also where in the world did Tiger get that old Tampax tampon. They don’t look like that anymore. 😂 https://t.co/XW2A0eedM8
— Patricia Duffy Fiske (@PatriciaDuffyGC) February 17, 2023
If anyone tries to cancel Tiger over this we riot. It’s funny https://t.co/rRXdu9iQiz
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) February 17, 2023
Credit: sportingnews.com