Sky Sports journalist now sheds light on controversial Tiger Woods incident last month

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Tiger Woods and Gary Woodland hit the headlines last month after supposedly peeking into Justin Thomas’ Titleist golf bag.

CBS golf reporter Kyle Porter captured and shared images of Woodland staring at Thomas’ equipment at the Genesis Invitational.

The second picture shows Woods appearing to make a hand gesture toward Woodland, although he wasn’t looking directly at the 2019 Masters champion, who withdrew from the tournament due to illness.

It was an intriguing incident, and Sky Sports journalist Sophie Walker has cast her view.

Sophie Walker shares interesting hand signal theory

Talking on the Rick Shiels Golf Show, Walker revealed how caddies use hand signals to notify on-course commentators of their player’s club selection.

“The caddie signals. Every caddie signals. So it’s a first for a wedge if it’s five irons – it’s five fingers, and it’s high. If it’s nine iron, it’s four fingers, and it’s low,” she said.

Walker went on to explain the incident with Woods and Woodland.

She added: “So when Tiger played recently he signalled down by his side that Gary Woodland was hitting – I think it was three fingers – so an eight iron. And everybody was like, he’s telling his player’s partners what Gary Woodland is hitting.”

The Sky Sports reporter has suggested that the 15-time Major champion was perhaps trying to notify his good friend and broadcaster, Notah Begay, of what club he’s hitting.

“What he could have been doing is that Notah Begay is one of his best friends, and he does on-course commentary; what he could be doing is signalling to Notah that’s the club he’s hitting,” she explained.

Walker reveals something new after Woods and Woodland saga

Walker could be onto something, and it’s a fascinating insight into how on-course professional golf works.

There must be large swathes of the golfing world who were unaware hand signals were used to notify broadcasters of player’s club decisions. It’s just a part of the game spectators at home are used to and, therefore, haven’t questioned why it happens.

The comments from the Sky Sports reporter also quell any worries about foul play by Woodland and Woods. It was clear the incident was a lot made out of nothing.