Tiger Woods apologizes for tampon incident with Justin Thomas, says ‘it was meant to be all fun and games’ | Golf News

Tiger Woods got here beneath fireplace after handing a buffer to Justin Thomas on the ninth gap throughout the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles; The incident was described as “gross” and “disappointing” by Sarah Stirk.

Tiger Woods has apologized after being criticized for handing a rubber stamp to Justin Thomas throughout the first spherical of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday.

Woods was making his return to aggressive golf for the primary time in seven months alongside Thomas and Rory McIlroy at Riviera Nation Membership.

The 47-year-old was in a position to outplay his two younger opponents a number of instances on the Los Angeles course, and on the ninth gap Woods hit him previous Thomas, then handed him a pad because the pair headed for his second shot.

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After their observe on the ninth gap, Tiger Woods’ shot landed farther than his opponent Justin Thomas’, with Woods then handing Thomas a buffer as they descended the golf green.

Thomas, the world quantity 7, picked up the pad earlier than rapidly dropping it on the ground, after which the pair may very well be seen laughing and kissing.

Woods stated after his second spherical on Friday: “Yeah, it was purported to be all of the enjoyable and the video games and clearly it did not occur that means.

“If I offended anybody, it wasn’t, it was simply mates having enjoyable. Like I stated, if I offended anybody in any means , I am sorry. It wasn’t purported to be like this.

“It was simply, we play pranks on one another on a regular basis and virally I do not assume it occurred that means, however between us it is totally different.”

Koyack: I noticed some having enjoyable and having fun with a second with a pal

Throughout dwell protection of the Genesis Invitational on Sky Sports activities Golf, Henni Koyack stated Woods is “respectful of feminine athletes and girls in sport.”

“There are wonderful and far wanted conversations round ladies’s sport and tradition. I contemplate myself a feminist and I’ll do something to combat for girls’s sport. That stated, my private opinion on this, after I watch this clip, I noticed somebody having enjoyable and having fun with a second of reference to their pal,” she stated.

“I do know from Tiger that it is one thing he misses essentially the most is the dressing room surroundings. I am most likely biased as a result of he is a very good pal of mine. I believe it is a kind of issues, if it isn’t for you, that is superb.

“It is his humor and the truth that he is having enjoyable on the golf course. We are able to solely decide somebody on what they do. I believe he respects feminine athletes and girls within the sport. sport. I contemplate this a silly joke.”

Walker: He ought to know higher

Woods’ actions had drawn criticism from others, together with Sky Sports activities’ Sarah Stirk, who described the incident as “impolite” and “disappointing”.

“I believe that is not what we wish to present within the sports activities world. It was impolite, it was disappointing and I believe it is a shock from me as a result of he performs within the Genesis on the PGA Tour. It is a match he runs.” she stated Sky Sports activities Information.

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Sarah Stirk, Sophie Walker and Dame Laura Davies react to Tiger Woods handing a stamp to Justin Thomas throughout the first spherical of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday.

Former golfer Sophie Walker stated he was “actually poor” about Woods, including: “What disappoints me essentially the most is that it wasn’t simply an improvised factor, it was premeditated as a result of I I am fairly positive he would not. I do not put on tampons on him usually.

“He is the chief of our recreation, it doesn’t matter what, all eyes are on Tiger Woods. He ought to know higher, and he made a mistake, and he must apologize.”

However Dame Laura Davies performed it down, describing it as a “joke” and a misplaced joke.

Throughout the second spherical, Woods shot a three-over-par 74 spherical, leaving him one over par total.

Requested about his flip, Woods stated: “I did not putt effectively right now, I blocked quite a lot of putts early and that is most likely the best rating I may have shot right now. J most likely ought to have shot 5 – 6 higher than that simply.

“I simply did not make putts within the early and mid spherical after I had these alternatives. And so they weren’t very tough putts, I simply hit some unhealthy putts and clearly I had a very unhealthy end too.”

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