'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAgICAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMAAgVBFAQGESLRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGBxEAAgICAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEQQFAAcSISJB/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCJtybr5buLq1eVFVeOuosSAEE1Jtom+5JGKxxZc8BI9ju32IhTGlklLl3Y0TXmvvLB1J0eo1MGgbCxI4DPiOZSt+5Xtonn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tiger Woods made a return to the non-major PGA tournament after two years. He did well in his first round after a long time after scoring 2-under 69 on the first day. However, this was not all that happened on Thursday. On the ninth hole, Tiger Woods handed a tampon to his good friend Justin Thomas' hands after shooting a longer tee shot than JT.
Initially, what felt like harmless banter between the two friends, became the topic of debate on Golf Twitter, causing severe criticism of the 82-time winner on Tour. This is not the first time Woods has found himself in the controversy. In his career spanning over three decades, Tiger has often been caught up in a few unwanted incidents.
Here's a look at five of the controversies:
1) Tiger Woods Infidelity Scandal
This is the most significant and most controversial incident with Tiger Woods. Initially, a report came in from the tabloids that Woods was involved in an illicit affair with nightclub manager Rachel Uchitel. A voicemail was then published by US Weekly which was allegedly left by the golfer. Woods initially refuted the claims but later admitted that he had cheated. Over the next few months, several women came forward alleging that they had a sexual relationship with Woods during his eight-year marriage to Nordegren.
"I was unfaithful, I had affairs and I cheated. What I did was unacceptable. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me," Woods said in his public apology.
Woods took a break from the game after the revelations.
2) Driving Under the Influence
In May 2017, Woods was arrested by Florida police for driving under the influence of alcohol. The golf superstar was found to have painkillers, sleep drugs, and an ingredient active in marijuana in his body, according to reports. He pleaded guilty under the charge of reckless driving. and underwent treatment for his addiction to pain medication.
3) Allegations of using Performance-Enhancing Drugs in 2010
In 2010, there were rumors that Woods was using performance-enhancing drugs, especially the human growth hormone (HGH). Canadian sports medicine specialist Anthony Galea went under investigation for whether he distributed the PED to Woods and others.
"He[Galea] never gave me H.G.H. or any P.E.D.’s. I have never taken any of those. I’ve never taken any illegal drugs in my life," said Woods dismissing the claims.
Later, no evidence was found to support these claims.
4) The Thanksgiving Night Car Accident
The incident happened before Tiger's Infidelity went public. Tiger Woods was summoned by the police on November 27, 2009, after his Cadillac Escalade SUV hit a fire hydrant and a tree. Police reported that he wasn't wearing a seat belt. Two days earlier, a report was published in the National Enquirer, alleging Woods of having an affair with a woman, which was true. Speculations were there that the incident happened after his wife Elin confronted him.
5) Million Dollar Divorce
The divorce was inevitable after what had happened over the past few months. Woods and Nordegren went through a $750 million (as per several reports) divorce in 2010. Before the divorce, he had already lost several million dollars from the sponsors courtesy of these controversies.
