During the 2022 Presidents Cup, an amusing exchange took place between Tiger Woods and fellow golfer Justin Thomas. Woods, who wasn’t physically present at the tournament due to recovery from injuries, kept in touch with the U.S. team through text messages. One particularly foul-mouthed message to Thomas caught attention for its bluntness and humor.
In a lighthearted and competitive manner, Woods texted Thomas, a close friend and frequent playing partner, with words of encouragement that had a distinctly rough edge. According to Thomas, Woods sent him a message that read something like, “Just hit the damn ball, stop being a [expletive].” This was classic Tiger, blending motivation with his no-nonsense, straightforward approach. The profanity-laden message was all in good fun, as both golfers share a tight bond and often engage in friendly banter.
Thomas later shared the exchange with the media, laughing about how Woods didn’t hold back in his advice. The moment highlighted Woods’ intense passion for the game, even when he couldn’t participate directly, as well as his unique way of connecting with his teammates. Woods’ influence on the U.S. team, even from a distance, was palpable. His words may have been crass, but they were meant to fire up Thomas and the team during the prestigious international event.
The Presidents Cup, a tournament pitting U.S. golfers against an international team, saw the American team prevail. Thomas and his teammates no doubt appreciated Woods’ supportive—if colorful—messages as they secured victory.