Nina Caldwell
In January 2021, Justin Thomas, the world's third-ranked golfer, issued an apology for using a homophobic slur during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Thomas was heard using the anti-gay slur towards himself after missing a par putt on the fourth hole at Kapalua's Plantation Course in Hawaii. While Thomas lost some sponsors due to the incident, the PGA Tour did not announce any specific punishments, stating that Justin's comment was unacceptable. The incident sparked conversations about the lack of inclusivity in professional golf and the casual use of homophobic language within the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Justin Thomas gay? | There is no evidence that Justin Thomas is gay. |
| Sexual orientation | Heterosexual (assumed) |
| Use of homophobic slurs | Yes, Thomas has been heard using homophobic slurs on multiple occasions. |
| Apology | Yes, Thomas has apologized for his use of homophobic slurs. |
| Action taken | Thomas lost some sponsors and is expected to be fined. |
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What You'll Learn
Justin Thomas' use of a homophobic slur on live TV
During the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii, in January 2021, Justin Thomas, the world No. 3 male golfer, was caught on a live mic using a homophobic slur. After missing a short par putt on the fourth hole, Thomas muttered the slur under his breath, calling himself a "ft".
Thomas was quick to apologize for his language, speaking to the Golf Channel after the round. He said, "It's inexcusable. First off, I just apologize. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It's terrible. I'm extremely embarrassed. It's not who I am, it's not the kind of person that I am or anything that I do."
Thomas's use of the slur sparked outrage and led to him losing several sponsors, including Ralph Lauren, one of his main sponsors. In the aftermath of the incident, Thomas expressed his remorse, calling the incident "humiliating" and "embarrassing". He also acknowledged the opportunity it presented for him to educate himself, grow, and become a better person.
The incident also sparked a larger conversation about the culture of golf and its lack of inclusivity. Ex-pro golfer Maya Reddy, who is gay, spoke to Sky Sports about Thomas's casual use of homophobic language, reflecting on how it demonstrated the exclusivity and lack of inclusivity in the sport. She also shared her own experiences of discrimination and the abuse she received during her career, emphasizing the need for the golf world to become more welcoming and diverse.
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Thomas' apology for his anti-gay language
Justin Thomas, the third-ranked golfer in the world, came under fire for using an anti-gay slur during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January 2021. After missing a short putt, Thomas was picked up by a television microphone muttering a homophobic slur.
Following the incident, Thomas issued an apology, saying:
> I deeply apologize to anybody and everyone who I offended and I'll be better because of it. There's just no excuse. There's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It's terrible. It's not the kind of person that I am. I need to do better.
Thomas' comment was deemed "unacceptable" by the PGA Tour, and he was likely to be fined for conduct "unbecoming of a professional". While Thomas' apology was appreciated, some felt it fell short, highlighting the casual use of homophobic language in golf and the need for greater inclusion and acceptance in sports.
Ex-pro golfer Maya Reddy, who quit the sport due to discrimination and a lack of inclusivity, spoke about how Thomas' use of the slur reflected the negative and exclusive culture embedded within golf. She emphasized the need for the sport to become more welcoming and diverse, acknowledging the different experiences of queer golfers of colour.
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The PGA Tour's statement on Thomas' comment
The PGA Tour released a statement regarding Justin Thomas's use of a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions. In the statement, the PGA Tour agrees with Thomas's expression after his round, acknowledging that his comment was unacceptable.
Thomas, who is considered one of the brightest young stars in golf, expressed his regret after the incident, stating that he screwed up and that there was no excuse for his choice of words. He apologised to anyone who was offended by his language and acknowledged that his behaviour was inexcusable and embarrassing.
The PGA Tour's statement aligns with Thomas's sentiment, recognising the unacceptability of his comment. While the PGA Tour has not announced any specific punishments, it is expected that Thomas will be fined for conduct unbecoming of a professional.
This incident has sparked important conversations about inclusivity and the culture within the sport of golf. Ex-pro golfer Maya Reddy, who quit the sport due to discrimination and a lack of inclusivity, highlighted that Thomas's casual use of homophobic language reflects an embedded culture within golf that is not inclusive.
The PGA Tour's statement, combined with Thomas's apology, underscores the unacceptability of such language and behaviour. It is hoped that this incident will lead to meaningful actions that foster a more welcoming and diverse environment within the sport.
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Ex-golfer Maya Reddy's comments on Thomas' slur
In January 2021, ex-professional golfer Maya Reddy spoke to Sky Sports about Justin Thomas' use of a homophobic slur and his subsequent apology. She felt that the "'ease" with which Thomas used the offensive word emphasized the cultural issues facing golf and its lack of inclusivity.
Reddy, who is a queer golfer of color, stated that it is important to acknowledge that the experiences of LGBTQ+ people on the golf course are different from those of their straight, white, cisgender counterparts. She pointed out that golf is rooted in a particular culture that has not always been inclusive and that Thomas' language reflects this. She said:
> The question is, why was it almost second nature for him to use that word? For Thomas to use a word that has been used discriminately and violently against gay communities, with such ease, shows that golf still has this culture embedded within it.
Reddy also shared her own experiences of discrimination and bigotry in the sport, which ultimately led to her decision to quit professional golf. She faced abuse under the 'guise of a joke', making her feel like she did not belong.
While Reddy acknowledged Thomas' apology, she felt frustrated that "it was so easy for him to jump to that word". She emphasized the impact of his platform and his role as a model for others.
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Thomas' ranking and career achievements
Justin Thomas is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and formerly competed on the European and Web.com Tours. As of April 2025, he was ranked world No. 9, according to the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). He previously attained the world No. 1 ranking in May 2018 and held it for five weeks.
Thomas joined the PGA Tour in 2015 and has played in 248 events, making cuts in 203, as of April 2025. He has won 17 professional tournaments, including 15 PGA Tour wins, four European Tour wins, one Web.com Tour victory, and one other. His most notable wins include the 2017 and 2022 PGA Championships, the 2017 FedEx Cup, and the 2018 and 2020 WGC events.
Thomas's talent and skill on the golf course have captivated many fans, including a gay golf fan who wrote about being drawn to Thomas's captivating play at the 2022 PGA Championship. The fan acknowledged the complicated history they had with Thomas due to his use of a homophobic slur on a hot mic at Kapalua in 2021 but also recognized his talent and the way he overcame adversity.
Thomas's impressive performance in the 2017 season, where he won five PGA Tour events and the FedEx Cup, solidified his place as a top golfer. He also participated in the 2023 Ryder Cup, representing the United States, and competed in the first-ever Netflix Cup in November 2023, showcasing his consistency and versatility in the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Justin Thomas is not gay. However, he has been criticized for using homophobic slurs.
In 2021, Justin Thomas was heard using a homophobic slur towards himself after missing a par putt on the fourth hole at Kapalua.
Justin Thomas apologized for his use of the homophobic slur, saying, "I screwed up. I have to be better. I will be better. I deeply apologize to everybody and anybody who was offended."
Justin Thomas lost a few sponsors following the incident, and the PGA Tour released a statement saying that his comment was "unacceptable." Thomas was also expected to be fined for conduct unbecoming of a professional, although the PGA Tour does not disclose specifics of such punishments.
