Suzann Pettersen Defends Tiger Woods After Tampon Joke
The Solheim Cup captain doesn't think Woods "meant to be offensive in any way" and described his prank on Justin Thomas as a "boyish" joke


Suzann Pettersen has stuck up for Tiger Woods after being asked about the 15-time Major winner's controversial tampon prank at last week's Genesis Invitational.
Woods handed playing partner Justin Thomas a tampon after outdriving him in the opening round, which was picked up on in a still image photograph. Woods received plenty of backlash for the prank and apologized for any offence caused the next day.
Europe's 2023 Solheim Cup captain Suzann Pettersen, who will also lead Team Europe next year as well, says she doesn't think Woods "meant to be offensive in any way," describing it as a "boyish" joke.
"I know Tiger quite well," the Solheim Cup legend and two-time Major winner said.
"I don't know Justin Thomas as well, but I know kind of Tiger's humour and that's a very probably boyish joke between the two of them and I don't really take it too personal.
"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.
"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."
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Pettersen will captain Europe at the 2023 and 2024 Solheim Cups
Pettersen was this week confirmed as Europe's 2024 Solheim Cup captain, meaning she will lead two matches in a row including this September's clash at Spain's Finca Cortesin.
“I love the Solheim Cup and it’s such a unique honour to be asked to captain Team Europe again in 2024," the Norwegian, who holed the winning putt at Gleneagles in 2019, said.
“Being offered the role for a second time before the 2023 matches have even been played is a little different to usual, as we usually play the competition every two years and announce the next captain after the competition, but because of the changes to the schedule and having back-to-back Solheim Cups in consecutive years, it makes perfect sense. “
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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