Miles Bennett
In January 2021, golfer Justin Thomas issued an apology for using a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Thomas, who was the defending champion of the tournament, muttered the slur under his breath after missing a putt. The offensive comment was picked up by television microphones and heard by viewers. In his apology, Thomas acknowledged that his comment was “inexcusable”, expressing embarrassment and stating that the words did not reflect who he was as a person. The incident led to clothing brand Ralph Lauren ending their sponsorship of the golfer, with the company citing Thomas' language as “entirely inconsistent” with their values and commitment to fostering an inclusive culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golfer's name | Justin Thomas |
| Golfer's ranking | World No. 3 |
| Tournament | Sentry Tournament of Champions |
| Location | Hawaii |
| Date | 9 January 2021 |
| Homophobic slur | "Fa***t" |
| Apology | Yes |
| Action taken | Dropped by Ralph Lauren |
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What You'll Learn
Justin Thomas' homophobic slur
Justin Thomas, the world's No. 3 male golfer, used a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. The incident occurred after Thomas missed a six-foot par putt on the fourth hole, and his utterance was picked up by a microphone and aired on the Golf Channel's telecast.
Following the incident, Thomas apologized, saying, "I screwed up. I have to be better. I will be better. I deeply apologize to everybody and anybody who was offended." He also acknowledged that his actions were inexcusable, stating, "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 longtime apparel sponsor, Ralph Lauren, discontinued its relationship with the player, citing that "his actions conflict with the inclusive culture that we strive to uphold." The PGA Tour also issued a statement, expressing their agreement that Thomas's comment was unacceptable.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of homophobia in sports and the need for continued efforts to promote inclusion and eradicate discrimination. It serves as a reminder that even top athletes like Thomas, who are often regarded as role models, can make mistakes and exhibit behavior that goes against the values of respect and inclusivity.
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Thomas' apology
Thomas Apology
Justin Thomas, the world number one golfer, has apologized for using a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Thomas missed a putt during the third round of the tournament and was caught on television microphones muttering the word "fa*t", a highly offensive term used to describe gay men.
Thomas issued an apology following the incident, saying:
> "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. There's just no excuse."
Thomas also told reporters that he "didn't have to explain myself," but added:
> "I clearly screwed up. I made a terrible, terrible judgment call... I wish that I could learn to grow a different way than the way that I chose to do it, but unfortunately, it's in the past and there's nothing I can do about it now."
Thomas's comments were met with criticism and he was dropped by one of his main sponsors, Ralph Lauren, who released a statement saying that Thomas's language was "entirely inconsistent with our brand" and that his actions conflicted with the inclusive culture they strive to uphold.
Despite the apology, Thomas's outburst reflects a negative aspect of golf culture, according to ex-pro golfer Maya Reddy, who quit the sport after experiencing discrimination and a lack of inclusivity. Reddy feels that the ease with which Thomas used the offensive word shows issues facing golf on inclusion and that the sport must learn from this incident.
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Thomas dropped by sponsors
Following his use of a homophobic slur at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, golfer Justin Thomas was dropped by sponsors Ralph Lauren. The clothing brand released a statement on 16 January, expressing that Thomas' language was "entirely inconsistent with our brand".
The statement read:
> "At the Ralph Lauren Corporation, we believe in the dignity of all people, regardless of age, race, gender identity, ethnicity, political affiliation or sexual orientation. This is part of our longstanding commitment to foster cultures of belonging—in the workplace and in communities around the world. We are disheartened by Mr Thomas' recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values. While we acknowledge that he has apologised and recognises the severity of his words, he is a paid ambassador of our brand and his actions conflict with the inclusive culture that we strive to uphold. In reflecting on the responsibility we have to all of our stakeholders, we have decided to discontinue our sponsorship of Mr Thomas at this time."
Thomas' other sponsors, including Titleist, Footjoy, Polo, Citi, NetJets, Woodford Reserve and Beats, could potentially take similar action.
Thomas, who was ranked third in the world at the time, expressed his embarrassment and apologised for his comment, stating: "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."
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Ex-pro golfer Maya Reddy speaks out
Former professional golfer Maya Reddy has spoken out about golfer Justin Thomas' use of a homophobic slur during a tournament, reflecting on the broader issues of inclusion and discrimination within the sport.
Reddy, who is gay, quit professional golf due to the discrimination and lack of inclusivity she experienced during her career. In an interview with Sky Sports, she shared her perspective on Thomas' language, noting that the ease with which he used the offensive word demonstrates the underlying issues of exclusion in golf.
"The fact that the word he used was a violent slur against a marginalised community, is really important to take note of," Reddy said. "The question is, why was it almost second nature for him to use that word? [...] It also demonstrates that golf is rooted in this very particular culture, and golf hasn't always been a very inclusive sport."
Reddy further elaborated on her own experiences with discrimination during her time as a professional golfer, recalling instances of xenophobic, racist, and homophobic jokes being made around her. "I would overhear people saying xenophobic and essentially Islamophobic things, and it was very hard to hear that," she said. Despite finding some liberation in living openly as a gay woman, the constant feeling of not belonging in the golf world ultimately led to her retirement from the sport.
Justin Thomas, ranked third in the world, used the homophobic slur "fa*t" after missing a putt during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. His comment was picked up by television microphones, leading to widespread criticism and an apology from Thomas. While Thomas has expressed remorse for his language, calling it "inexcusable," the incident has sparked conversations about the broader culture of exclusion within golf.
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Golf's inclusivity issues
Golf has long been considered an exclusive sport, with a reputation for being unwelcoming to those who do not fit the traditional mould of an elite, straight, wealthy, white male. This perception has been reinforced by a series of recent incidents involving high-profile golfers making discriminatory comments.
In January 2021, Justin Thomas, one of the world's top golfers, came under fire for using a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. After missing a putt, Thomas was picked up by television microphones muttering the word "fa*t", a highly offensive term used to describe gay men. Thomas issued an apology, calling his comment inexcusable and expressing embarrassment and remorse. Despite this, Thomas faced consequences, including being dropped by sponsors Ralph Lauren, who cited his language as "entirely inconsistent" with their values and commitment to fostering inclusive cultures.
This incident was not an isolated one. Thomas' comment came just a year after four-time PGA Tour winner Scott Piercy was dropped by five sponsors for sharing a homophobic meme on social media. Furthermore, the experience of former professional golfer Maya Reddy highlights the persistent inclusivity issues within the sport. Reddy, who is gay, faced discrimination and a lack of inclusivity in the culture of professional golf, ultimately leading her to retire from the sport. During her time as a pro golfer, Reddy experienced xenophobic, racist, and homophobic jokes, and felt a constant sense of not belonging in the golf world.
These incidents shine a light on the underlying culture of exclusivity and discrimination within golf. While some golfers, like Thomas, have expressed remorse and a desire to educate themselves, the sport as a whole has a long way to go in fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports diverse participants.
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Frequently asked questions
Justin Thomas.
He said "fa*t", a highly offensive term used to describe gay men.
On 9 January 2021.
During the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Yes, he was dropped by sponsors Ralph Lauren and five other companies.
