Amidst the fervor surrounding Tiger Woods and Gary Woodland’s actions during the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, it’s important to clarify that they weren’t engaged in any form of cheating. A clip shared by CBS golf reporter Kyle Porter stirred debate, showing Woods and Woodland seemingly inspecting Justin Thomas’s golf bag before his tee shot on a par-3.
The images captured Woodland peering into Thomas's bag and Woods making a gesture, potentially indicating the club Thomas was using. However, under golf's rules, merely looking into another player's bag doesn't constitute a violation. The contention arises if there's clear communication of club selection, which could lead to a penalty.
A seasoned caddie, weighing in on the debate, suggested that Woods might have been informing the TV crew about Thomas's club choice rather than signaling Woodland directly. This interpretation aligns with golf's regulations, as providing information to broadcasters doesn't fall under the category of giving advice to a competitor.
Some online commentators added humor to the situation, referencing a previous incident where Woods playfully handed Thomas a tampon after outdriving him at the same event a year prior. Despite the light-hearted banter, it's crucial to differentiate between playful antics and breaches of golf etiquette.
In essence, the rules of golf, particularly under Rule 10.2a regarding advice, prohibit players from giving or seeking advice during a round, touching another player's equipment to gain information, or asking for advice from anyone other than their caddie. However, these regulations don't apply before or after a round or during designated breaks.
In conclusion, while the actions of Woods and Woodland may have raised eyebrows, they were within the confines of golf's rules, emphasizing the importance of clarity and interpretation in assessing on-course conduct.