This week has been a challenging one for Tiger Woods.
On Thursday at the Genesis Invitational, golf icon Tiger Woods was strongly criticized by a women’s rights organization due to his “tampon prank,” which was considered inappropriate and highly insensitive. This tournament marked his first PGA Tour event in seven months.
According to Kara Sugar, CEO of the Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, Woods’ prank was…“misogynistic” and “tone-deaf” and “straight-up disrespectful to women and girls all over the world.”
She further inquired, wondering if Woods was implying that “periods are embarrassing or shameful or a sign of weakness?”
The non-profit, based in Denver, Colorado strives to empower women through diverse economic, social and political projects while valiantly working towards a society free from gender disparity.
On Thursday, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods made a triumphant return to the Tour with his stellar performance in the opening round. Even more impressive was when he generously offered Justin Thomas a Tampax tampon after outdriving him on the ninth hole – an action that Getty Images photographer was able to capture for posterity.
Thomas’ gesture insinuated that he was playing like a female.
Woods was harshly criticized on social media, yet a few supported him. Paige Spiranac, the former pro-golfer-turned-influencer tweeted her opinion about Woods’ situation with powerful words: “If anyone tries to cancel Tiger over this we riot. It’s funny.”
The Women’s Global Empowerment Fund had a different opinion. After all, Woods has a 15-year-old daughter named Sam – emphasizing the importance of setting an example for her and other women about how to appropriately handle their menstrual cycle while going through life normally. Making this “joke”, unfairly distracts from the support that female athletes need during such times.
After his second lap on Friday, Woods expressed remorse and clarified that the comment was not intended to be sexist.
“It was supposed to be all fun and games and obviously it hasn’t turned out that way,” Woods stated. “If I offended anybody, it was not the case, it was just friends having fun.
“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 successfully progressed to the final round of the tournament even after hitting a 3-over 74 on Friday, ending with bogeys on three out of his last four holes. The finale is set for Sunday and Woods will compete in it.
