Tiger Woods is under fire for subtly giving Justin Thomas a tampon at the Genesis Open after outdriving him.
Thomas laughed and dropped the tampon to the ground as the Americans stepped off the ninth tee.
Social media users had a mixed reaction to the incident, with some criticizing Woods, a 15-time major champion.
The 47-year-old is taking part in his first PGA Tour competition since failing to make the cut at The Open in July.
He played in a group with Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion, and PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas.
Woods starts the Genesis Invitational strong.
After the first round of the competition he is hosting at the Riviera Country Club in California, Woods, who suffered severe injuries to his right leg and foot in a car accident two days after this tournament in 2021, shot a two-under-par 69 to finish five shots back of the leaders Keith Mitchell and Max Homa.
Thomas and Woods have both been associated in contentious events in the past.
After using a homophobic epithet in Hawaii’s third round of the Sentry Tour of Champions in 2021, Thomas issued an apology.
In November 2009, Woods was engaged in an automobile accident that ultimately caused him to admit to having an extramarital affair and cause his marriage to fall apart. He then took a hiatus from playing golf, but soon resumed.
When Woods was discovered dozing off behind the wheel of his car in 2017, he was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI. Later, he admitted to driving carelessly.