No, Tiger Woods and Gary Woodland weren't cheating at Riviera

Tiger Woods and Gary Woodland's behaviour during the first round of the Genesis Invitational sparked a fierce debate on social media. 

The point of alleged contention was captured and re-shared on X by CBS golf reporter Kyle Porter. 

Said images showed Woods, 48, and Woodland, 39, taking a peek into Justin Thomas's Titleist golf bag before the 30-year-old struck one tee shot on a par-3 at Riviera Country Club.

The first image showed Woodland staring intently at JT's equipment. 

And the second image showed Woods appearing to make a gesture with his hand, although Woodland wasn't looking directly at the 15-time major champion. 

Woods appeared to be hiding the index finger and thumb on his left hand, alluding to the fact Thomas may have been hitting a 3-iron. 

Take a look at the pictures here:

Under golf's rules, it was pointed out simply by looking at JT's bag neither Woods or Woodland had done anything wrong. 

There would be a penalty for Woods had he clearly gestured to Woodland what club Thomas was hitting. 

One X user, claiming to have been a caddie on Tour for more than three decades, pointed out it was likely Woods was telling the TV crew what Thomas was hitting. 

"You can look all day," he wrote. "You can't touch or move anything like the towel to see. If Tiger is telling another player what he hit, it's a penalty. 

"My guess is Tiger is flashing a TV guy the club being hit, since Woodland isn't looking at him. I was a caddie on Tour for 30 years. It happens."

Another X user joked: "Two straight years of Tiger handing his playing partner something inappropriate."

It was a reference to the fact that at this event 12 months ago Woods and Thomas were embroiled in controversy after the 82-time PGA Tour winner handed his playing partner a tampon after outdriving him. 

Woods later apologised for his immature prank. 

What do the rules of golf actually say?

This is all covered under 10.2a under the heading 'Advice'. 

The rules state:

During a round, a player must not:

• Give advice to anyone in the competition who is playing on the course,
• Ask anyone for advice, other than the player’s caddie, or
• Touch another player's equipment to learn information that would be advice if given by or asked of the other player (such as touching the other player's clubs or bag to see what club is being used).

This does not apply before a round, while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a or between rounds in a competition. Penalty for Breach of Rule 10.2a: General Penalty. In both match play and stroke play, the penalty is applied in this way:

• Player Asks For or Gives Advice When Either Player Is Playing Hole. The player gets the general penalty on the hole being played or just completed.
• Player Asks For or Gives Advice When Both Players Are Between Play of Two Holes. The player gets the general penalty on the next hole.

Read more:

• Scottie Scheffler with the early contender for strop of the year (?!) at Riviera
• Multiple European Tour winner calls for Patrick Cantlay to be hit with huge fine
• WATCH: Tiger Woods hits shocking shank on 18 at Genesis Invitational
• Tiger Woods issues blunt response to reporter over logo question