Tiger Woods apologises for giving tampon to Justin Thomas in 'fun and games' prank

Tigers Woods has apologised for handing Justin Thomas a tampon after outdriving him during the Genesis Invitational.

Woods, who was making his return to top-level golf action for the first time since July, could be seen handing the product to Thomas as they walked off the ninth tee in the first round.

Thomas immediately threw it on the floor as Woods could be seen laughing as he put his arm around his playing partner.

Speaking on Friday, Woods said the incident 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," he said. "It was just we play pranks on one another all the time and virally I think this did not come across that way."

Social media users quickly picked up on the supposed prank, which received a mixed reaction.

"If anyone tries to cancel Tiger over this we riot. It's funny," Paige Spiranac, a well-known social media influencer, wrote on Twitter.

"I need a LIV vs PGA tour Ryder Cup type event just so Tiger can give Phil [Mickelson] a tampon after out driving him."

Others were less impressed with Woods's sense of humour, with renowned sports journalist Rick Reilly writing: "All his humor is gross and tops out at 7th grade."

Woods was recovering from a fifth back surgery when he crashed his car in Los Angeles two days after the Genesis Invitational in February 2021, suffering multiple fractures of his right leg and ankle.

After being sidelined for 14 months, Woods returned to action in the 2022 Masters and made the cut at Augusta National and in the following month's US PGA Championship, but withdrew following the third round.

The 15-time major winner missed the cut in the Open at St Andrews and had to withdraw from the Hero World Challenge in the first week in December after developing plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Later that month he did play a made-for-TV exhibition over 12 holes and the PNC Championship with his son Charlie, although in both events he was allowed to ride in a cart.

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