Suzann Pettersen, a 15-time LPGA Tour winner, defended tiger forest on Tuesday after he faced backlash for his tampon prank during the Genesis Invitational last week, saying he doesn’t think Woods «meant to be offensive in any way.»
Woods, 47, issued an apology for discreetly delivering PGA Championship Winner Justin Thomas a buffer after he holed out in the first round of the tournament.
Tiger Woods of the United States (L) and Justin Thomas of the United States tee off the 9th tee during the first round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
The moment was captured by photographers.
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«It was supposed to be all fun and games, and obviously it didn’t turn out that way,» Woods said. «If I offended anyone in any way, shape, or form, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. We just play pranks on each other all the time, and virally I think this didn’t get aired.» shape.»
Tiger Woods of the United States and Justin Thomas of the United States cross the ninth hole during the first round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Despite the outrage on social media, Pettersen said Tuesday that he believes the gesture «was supposed to be a joke between the two of us.»
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«I know Tiger pretty well,» Pettersen said after being named Europe’s team captain for the 2024 Solheim Cup, via Sky Sports.
«I don’t know justin thomas too, but I know Tiger’s brand of humor and it’s most likely a childish joke between the two of them and I don’t really take it too personally.»
Team Europe’s Suzann Pettersen during a press conference on day four of the 2019 Solheim Cup preview at Gleneagles Golf Club, Auchterarder. (Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
She continued: «I think it was supposed to be a joke between the two of them and unfortunately some cameras caught it on the spur of the moment. I don’t know, I don’t think it was meant to be offensive in any way.» .
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«I’m pretty easy on stuff like that. I’m sure it was a joke, not harassment of women in general.»
The Genesis Invitational was Woods’ first tournament since the open championship Last July. He played just three times last year due to an injured back and legs battered from surgeries and a car accident.