Woods embroiled in Riviera controversy

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tiger Woods had some explaining to do Friday about a putter so loose he nearly missed the cut and a seemingly misogynistic prank he pulled on Justin Thomas at the Genesis Invitational.

In his first elite tournament in seven months, Woods caused a stir in the morning session for unwelcome reasons.

It all started with a rush of 323 yards, about 10 more than Thomas, who is 29. As he walked away from the tee, Woods slipped something discreetly into Thomas’s hand, who dropped it on the grass when he realized what it was, a tampon.

It was a way of reminding Thomas that Woods had sent the ball farther. Woods laughed and hugged his opponent.

But social media lit up as the image spread. “Dab!” a fan shouted at Woods after hitting an unusual putt on his wrong turn.

Woods apologized after closing the second round with bogey on the last two holes, for a 74, just above the expected cut-off line.

“It was supposed to be fun and games, but obviously it didn’t turn out that way,” Woods said. “If I offended anyone in any way, I’m sorry. It was not my intention. We just prank each other all the time. But because of the virality, I think it didn’t go well.”

Short of profanity after missing a shot, it’s rare for Woods to call attention to questionable conduct on the field.

His golf wasn’t good either.

He squandered birdie opportunities early and a few late. His second round was diametrically opposed to his first, which he closed with three birdies for a 69-shot card.

He came within inches of a hole-in-one on the par-3 14th. It was his fifth hole of the round.

With a cumulative 143, one over par, Woods is sure to make the cut on Saturday when the second round is over. For the second consecutive day, night fell and it was not possible for all golfers to finish their course.

Woods is 11 shots behind leader Max Homa, who finished his day at 3 under par 68. He has a one shot advantage over Jon Rahm, Keith Mitchell and Lee Hodges.