TIGER WOODS has apologised for any offence caused after he handed Justin Thomas a tampon on his PGA Tour return.
The golf icon said the stunt was "supposed to be all fun and games".
Woods, 49, is playing at the Genesis Invitational in California following seven months out.
And after outdriving Thomas on the ninth hole, TV cameras caught Woods discreetly handing him a tampon.
Thomas immediately dropped it to the floor, and Woods put his arm around the 29-year-old as they laughed together.
The incident sparked backlash on social media, with many fans and commentators criticising Woods for the incident.
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Speaking on Friday after carding a three-over-par 74 to leave him one over par after two rounds, Woods said: "It was supposed to be all fun and games but obviously it hasn't turned out that way.
"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.
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"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."
Golf presenter Sarah Stirk blasted Woods for being "crass" following the incident.
Stirk told Sky Sports: "I think this incident last night was extremely disappointing and crass to be honest."
Stirk added: "Woods outdrove Thomas, it was seemingly done in jest but to me it was sort of laddy, blokeish behavior.
"He passed him the tampon and is effectively saying 'look I've outdriven you, you're driving the ball like a woman'."
And ex-golfer Sophie Walker said on Sky: "What disappoints me more so is that it wasn't just an off-the-cuff thing, it was pre-meditated because I'm pretty sure he doesn't carry tampons on him normally."
Meanwhile, golf influencer Paige Spiranac branded the incident as "funny" on social media.
Paige tweeted: "If anyone tries to cancel Tiger over this we riot. It’s funny."
And she later added: "Instead of women being outraged by Tiger and the tampon, I would love for them to actually provide ideas to help.
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"For example I would have Tampex team up with the PGA tour to run a campaign where they provide free feminine products at golf courses.
"Most don’t actually have them and during long rounds it can be a problem for us."
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