All eyes will be on Tiger Woods as the golf legend makes his return at the Hero World Challenge on Thursday.
That means Woods will have to be on his best behavior after being paired with his good friend Justin Thomas.
Woods has started just two games this year as he continues to battle the aftereffects of a near-fatal car accident in 2021.
The 15-time major winner underwent subtalar fusion surgery in April after withdrawing from the Masters.
Two months ago, Woods finished his T45 at his Genesis Invitational, but that wasn’t the main topic of conversation.
The 47-year-old sparked controversy after he was caught on camera pulling a vulgar prank on Thomas during the opening round.
After Woods hit a longer drive than his partner, he handed Thomas a tampon.
The joke caused widespread offense, with many feeling that it was disrespectful to women, and Woods was forced to apologize.
“Yes, it was supposed to be a fun game, but obviously it didn’t turn out that way,” he said 24 hours later.
“If I offended anyone, that’s not it.
They were just friends having fun. Like I said, I’m sorry if I offended anyone in any way.
“I didn’t mean it that way, it was just… we always prank each other and I don’t think it went viral, but it was different between us.”
Woods previously said: He described Thomas as “the little brother I never had.”
This prank crosses the line, but it’s not the only joke they’ve shared on the golf course.
In 2019, a healthier Woods still outperformed Thomas despite back pain and a 17-year age difference.
In their last appearance together at the Hero World Challenge, Woods taunted Thomas by forensically identifying a short ball, then ran toward his own ball with a smug look on his face.
Woods was always seen as a ruthless, lone competitor with little time for his rivals, but that has changed in recent years.
Thomas and Rory McIlroy became close friends with the 82-time PGA Tour winner and discovered a man with a passion for mischief.
At the 2022 British Open, Woods tells Thomas, “See you tomorrow at the past winners’ event.” “Oh, I forgot, you’ve never won here.
Then that was it.The next day at the event, Woods was seen pranking McIlroy on the putting green.
Even at the height of his abilities, Woods was known for getting inside the heads of his opponents.
These days, the father of two is also giving the same treatment to his 15-year-old son Charlie to improve his mentality.
Speaking to the media, he said: “Nonstop, nonstop. It’s about getting him… If I can get into his head, that means someone else can get into his head.
“Someday I There will come a day when he won’t be able to get into his head, and then no one will be able to get in. My father believed that. You have to be willing to endure it.”
It remains to be seen what level of golf we get from a returning Woods in Albany this week.
But after his last appearance on the PGA Tour, the lightweight and friendly Woods may need to tone down his ribs.