Tiger Woods apologizes for handing tampon to Justin Thomas: 'Friends having fun'

Tiger Woods apologized Friday for what he deemed a friendly prank in which he handed fellow golfer Justin Thomas a tampon after outdriving him at a PGA Tour event.

Woods was seen slipping a tampon into Thomas' hand after driving the ball past his on the ninth hole Thursday at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

And instead of the world discussing Woods' return to the course — in which he shot a 2-under 69 in the first round — it was Woods' crude stunt that folks were talking about.

“It was supposed to be all fun and games and obviously it hasn’t turned out that way,” Woods told reporters. “If I offended anybody, it was not the case, it was just friends having fun. As I said, if I offended anybody in any way, shape or form, I’m sorry. It was not intended to be that way.

"It was just 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.”

OPINION: Really, Tiger? You're a 47-year-old 'girl dad' but thought tampon stunt would be funny?

Woods' performance Friday was not as strong as his opening 18 holes. He finished Friday one shot over par for the event after shooting a 3-over round Friday. He was projected to make the cut – barely – when the PGA Tour suspended play due to darkness. Play will resume Saturday morning.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger Woods apologizes for handing tampon to Justin Thomas at Genesis