Woods true to form, as usual

By Neville Idour

No one can question Tiger Woods’ ability when it comes to striking a golf ball and getting it into a hole on a green in the least number of shots. But is that where it ends?

He has built an ongoing and unenviable record off the golf course in his dealings with women and in other areas of life which don’t need detailing here. However, his recent immature and pathetic “fun and games” with his ``close friend'' Justin Thomas at the Genesis Invitational in the United States have rightly drawn scathing reactions from far and wide.

It is difficult to comprehend the mindset of any male golfer, or anyone else for that matter, thinking that having a tampon at the ready to hand to a playing partner after outdriving him as if to say “you play like a girl” is funny. Surely Woods would know the cameras would pick it up.

What made it more sad was the reaction of Thomas which tells something about him as well. I would like to think most golfers with any moral fortitude would have politely told Woods it was a pathetic and demeaning joke.

Perhaps Woods always carries tampons just in case? So it was not surprising that his ``hugely funny'', so he and Thomas thought joke, drew many blunt reactions.

February 19, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Leading the charge was Olympic legend Michael Johnson whose comments were right on the money. “He has never been a leader and continues to make mistakes. He is like Teflon as he is still heralded after all his mistakes.”

Johnson then went on to slam Tiger for his limp apology which went like this. “It was supposed to be all fun and games but obviously it hasn’t turned out that way.’'

The following sent was where it became more than limp.

``If I offended anyone in any shape or form I’m sorry. We play pranks on one another all the time.”

Haha.

Unsurprisingly he has come under fire from many women’s groups. Golf presenter Sarah Stirk blasted him. She said: “Completely surprised and really disappointed. His crass actions show that women are seen as inferior to men in the sport’s battle for equality, suggesting Thomas plays like a woman.”

Let’s be frank. In many ways the women’s game is a better watch than the PGA Tour and DP World Tour with their superb shotmaking and camaraderie.

When Thomas threw the tampon on the ground, Woods burst into hysterics so pleased with his joke.

One person who thought it was funny was golf glamour girl Paige Spiranac who brushed it off as boys' fun as did, surprisingly, Solheim Cup captain Suzann Pettersen who described it as “a boyish joke.” Isn’t that simply saying he hasn’t grown up?

One must ask is that the point? Just because something may be funny for some, doesn’t necessarily make it right. These were supposedly two mature adult men in a world view forum indulging in immature crude behaviour. Women have been the butt of demeaning humour for ever and a day from a segment of men. Surely it is time for a change of mindset especially from high profile sportsmen who should know better.