Tiger Woods apologizes for off-color prank on Justin Thomas

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Tiger Woods has apologized for a prank involving a feminine hygiene product that he pulled on fellow golfer Justin Thomas during Thursday’s first round of the Genesis Invitational.

“It was supposed to be all fun and games and obviously it hasn't turned out that way,” Woods said after his second round at Riviera Country Club. “If I offended anybody, it was not the case, it was just friends having fun.

“As I said, if I offended anybody in any way, shape or form, I'm sorry. It was not intended to be that way. It was just we play pranks on one another all the time and, virally, I think this did not come across that way. But between us it was—it's different.”

Woods, the Genesis tournament host, drew criticism for an exchange on the ninth hole during Thursday’s round, after he outdrove Thomas. As they walked, Woods reached out for Thomas’ hand and placed a packaged tampon in it. Thomas looked down, laughed and then quickly tossed the package down. They both laughed animatedly, with Woods putting his arm around Thomas’ shoulder.

The exchange was captured on video, as well as by numerous photographers following the Woods group that also included Rory McIlroy.

The negative reaction to Woods’ prank grew overnight, with journalists and others on social media weighing in with a broad range of responses. Some categorized it as Woods having fun with a player who has become one of his closest friends. Others saw it as an affront to women on numerous levels.