Tiger Woods teases Thomas with a sanitary pad: criticism in America - Corriere.it

Tiger Woods he returned to the green like he hasn't had in seven months, since the Open Championship in July at St Andrews, due to problems with his right foot. The 15-time Major champion participated in the Genesis Invitational (Los Angeles) where, during the opening round, he unwillingly sparked a fierce controversy. In fact, on the ninth hole, after overtaking his friend Justin Thomashe put into the hands of the current world number seven an internal tamponwhich the latter immediately dropped to the ground between laughter and pats on the back. A gesture that took place in a fraction of a second but that has not escaped anyone, immediately provoking violent criticism. A joke defined as gross and inappropriate, for which many in the United States are now demanding an immediate and sincere apology. Tiger Woods (47 years old) and Justin Thomas (29) are linked by a long-standing friendship: the two, who live next to each other in Florida, often play together. When Woods was grappling with the consequences of a serious car accident in 2021, Thomas was moved by questions from reporters: "It hurts me to see one of my closest friends in these conditions."

The reactions

In America there are those who shake their heads without completely condemning: «It is a joke out of place, but I don't think there was any malice in Tiger's gesture - the comment by Dame Laura Davies, four-time Major winner — everything she does, gets amplified. You should apologise.' Ann Olivarius, a lawyer who has always been active against discrimination, instead went down hard on Twitter: «Feminine hygiene products are inherently emasculating, so when a man makes another man touch a tampon, he is saying: “I am better than you"". Other users also resented: "All the guys think it's funny, but the joke denigrates women." Anne Caplice, an Irish rugby player, added: 'If the world generally respected women, I'd be able to see the funny side of that. But is not so. So no, it wasn't fun."