Tiger Woods apologised and appeared to have made the cut at the Genesis Invitational on Friday, as a botched prank overshadowed his 1st official PGA Tour event in nearly eight months.
Return to the golf course Woods was, as usual, the centre of attention at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, but he wasn't the only one.
The 15-time major champion was caught on camera handing playing partner Justin Thomas a tampon as a joke, which went viral on social media and was criticised as sexist.
Woods, who hosts the tournament to benefit his foundation, appeared destined to be a spectator on the weekend after bogeying three of his final four holes for a three-over 74.
Despite the late collapse, Woods landed on the projected cut line of one-over, which is unlikely to move even if 14 players return early on Saturday to finish their rounds after play was halted due to darkness.
Woods will start Saturday's third round 11 strokes behind clubhouse leader Max Homa, who shot a three-under 68 to reach the halfway mark on 10-under, one stroke ahead of Spaniard Jon Rahm (68) and Americans Keith Mitchell (69) and Lee Hodges (69). (66).
Collin Morikawa (68) is two shots back and in the clubhouse, with 2021 FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay three shots back, and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy (69) four shots back.
Woods will need to swiftly concentrate following a day of controversy and criticism for his pranking Thomas during Thursday's opening round when he makes his first non-major PGA Tour debut since October 2020.
Woods was seen giving his companion a tampon after outdriving Thomas on the ninth hole. The two golfers laughed and Thomas threw the tampon to the ground in a flash.
Several others did not find it amusing, and social media erupted with accusations of sexism against the 47-year-old after Thomas was interpreted as hitting like a lady by the joke.
When questioned about the incident during his second round, Woods responded, "It was supposed to be all fun and games and unfortunately it hasn't turned out that way. "If I offended anyone, I apologise; just pals having fun," I said.
"As I said, I apologise if I offended anyone in any way, shape, or form. It was not the planned outcome.
We pull practical jokes on one another all the time, so I don't think this came across that way until it went viral.
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