Suzann Pettersen Calls Tiger Woods’s Tampon Stunt a ‘Boyish Joke’

While many fans took offense to Tiger Woods’s tampon prank at the Genesis Invitational, two-time LPGA major champion Suzann Pettersen dismissed the stunt as a joke between two friends. 

On Tuesday, Pettersen met with the media as she was announced as the 2024 European Solheim Cup team captain. Although Pettersen retired from professional golf after the 2019 Solheim Cup, she says she maintains a good relationship with Woods. 

When asked about the incident—which Woods apologized for after his second round at Riviera—Pettersen explained why she didn’t take it personally. 

“I know Tiger quite well,” Pettersen said. “I don’t know Justin Thomas as well, but I know kind of Tiger’s humor and that’s a very probably boyish joke between the two of them and I don’t really take it too personal.” 

On Thursday at the Genesis Invitational, a photographer caught Woods handing Thomas a tampon after outdriving him on the 9th hole. 

“I think that was supposed to be a gag between the two of them and unfortunately some cameras caught it in the heat of the moment. I don’t know; I don’t think he meant to be offensive in any way,” Pettersen continued. 

Pettersen, who won 21 times in her professional career, believed that the prank was harmless.

“I’m pretty easy on stuff like that. I’m sure it was meant as a joke, not as a harassment to women in general,” Pettersen said. 

On Friday, Woods explained that the joke was “supposed to be all fun and games, and obviously it hasn’t turned out that way.”

“If I offended anybody in any way, shape or form, I’m sorry,” Woods continued.