Miles Bennett
In January 2021, golfer Justin Thomas was caught on a live mic using a homophobic slur at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. After missing a putt, Thomas muttered the slur under his breath and later issued an apology, saying, I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. Thomas, who is ranked among the best players in the world, was likely fined for his actions and dropped by Ralph Lauren.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golfer's Name | Justin Thomas |
| Tournament | Sentry Tournament of Champions |
| Location | Hawaii |
| Slur | Homophobic |
| Action | Missed a putt |
| Apology | Yes |
| Fine | Likely |
| Endorsement | Dropped by Ralph Lauren |
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What You'll Learn
Justin Thomas' apology
Justin Thomas, the world No. 3 male golfer, has apologized for using a homophobic slur at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. After missing a putt, Thomas muttered the slur under his breath, which was caught on a live mic.
In an interview with the Golf Channel, Thomas offered an apology, saying, "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 added, "It's bad. There's no other way to put it. I need to do better; I need to be better. It's definitely a learning experience. I deeply apologize to everybody and anybody who I offended, and I'll be better because of it."
Thomas's comment was met with criticism, and he is likely to be fined for his actions. The PGA Tour released a statement saying, "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable."
This incident is not the first time a professional golfer has been embroiled in a scandal involving homophobic remarks. In 2014, Patrick Reed used a similar slur at the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai. Additionally, Scott Piercy, another golfer, shared a homophobic meme on social media targeting a gay political candidate in 2020.
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Thomas' views on wearing mics
In 2020, Justin Thomas made it clear that he would be opposed to wearing a microphone during tournaments. "I would not wear a mic, no. That's not me," Thomas said. "What I talk about with [caddie] Jimmy [Johnson] and what I talk about with the guys in my group is none of anybody else's business, no offense."
Thomas's comments on wearing mics came amid a broader discussion in the golf world about allowing viewers to hear what players say during telecasts. While some players have been open to the idea and have worn mics during select tournaments, Thomas has maintained his preference for privacy on the course.
Thomas's stance on mic-wearing has been a topic of interest, particularly after he was caught on a live mic using a homophobic slur during the 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. The slur, directed at himself after missing a putt, sparked widespread criticism and prompted Thomas to issue a public apology.
Thomas's use of the slur highlighted the ongoing challenges in sports, including golf, in addressing homophobia. While Thomas was criticized and faced consequences, including being dropped by sponsor Ralph Lauren, some commentators argued that his actions did not receive the same level of scrutiny as racial slurs.
The incident involving Thomas underscored the ongoing debate about player mics in golf. While some argue that mics enhance the viewing experience and promote transparency, others, like Thomas, prioritize privacy and the traditional etiquette of the game.
As the golf world continues to grapple with issues of inclusivity and the role of technology in broadcasting, Thomas's views on wearing mics represent a perspective that values discretion and the preservation of longstanding norms in the sport.
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Other golfers' use of homophobic slurs
Justin Thomas, the world's third-best male golfer, has apologized for using a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Thomas muttered the slur under his breath after missing a putt. He later apologized, saying, "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 is not the first golfer to be embroiled in a scandal involving homophobic slurs. Patrick Reed used the same slur at the 2014 WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai. Additionally, fellow golfer Scott Piercey shared a homophobic meme on social media aimed at a homosexual political candidate. These incidents highlight the existence of a broader cultural issue within the golf community, which has been described as "not always being a very inclusive sport."
Former professional golfer Maya Reddy, who is gay, quit the sport after experiencing discrimination and a lack of inclusivity in the culture of professional golf. She has spoken out about Thomas' use of homophobic language, reflecting on the negative aspects of golf culture. Reddy has also advocated for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, hoping that the conversations sparked by the Thomas incident will lead to meaningful change and a more welcoming atmosphere in golf.
While the PGA Tour does not make conduct punishments public, it is likely that Thomas will be fined for his actions. In a statement, the PGA Tour said, "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable." Thomas has also lost sponsorship deals as a result of the incident, including with Ralph Lauren. He has vowed to "get better" and acknowledged that the incident is an opportunity for him to educate himself and become a better person.
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Reactions from the media
Following Justin Thomas' use of a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, there was widespread media coverage and commentary on the incident. Many news outlets reported on Thomas' apology, in which he expressed embarrassment and acknowledged that his language was "inexcusable" and "unacceptable".
Several media outlets and commentators used the incident to highlight the issue of homophobia in sports and the need for further progress in addressing it. Mike Freeman of USA Today wrote that the incident "shows how far sports still has to go" in battling homophobia, arguing that Thomas' use of a homophobic slur is indicative of a broader problem within the sports world. Freeman compared the reaction to Thomas' homophobic comment to the potential fallout from a racial slur, suggesting that there is a disparity in the way these incidents are addressed. He also mentioned previous instances of homophobia in golf, such as Scott Piercy's homophobic meme targeting Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, to illustrate the persistence of homophobic sentiments within the sport.
The Guardian's article on the incident quoted Thomas' apology, including his statement that he was ""extremely embarrassed" and that his behaviour was "inexcusable". The article also mentioned previous instances of homophobic language used by professional golfers, such as Patrick Reed at the 2014 WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.
The Sun's coverage of the story highlighted Thomas' apology and his recognition of the severity of his actions, quoting him as saying, "It's bad. There's no other way to put it." They also reported on the PGA Tour's response, in which they agreed that Thomas' comment was unacceptable and confirmed that he would likely face disciplinary action.
The Daily Mail's coverage of the incident included Thomas' apology and his statement that he needed "to do better". They also featured reactions from social media users, one of whom expressed disappointment and called for Thomas to take more significant actions beyond promising to improve. The article also referenced previous instances of homophobic language in golf, including Patrick Reed's use of a homophobic slur in 2014 and Scott Piercy's homophobic meme in 2020.
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The PGA Tour's response
Thomas' use of a homophobic slur was not an isolated incident among professional golfers. In 2014, Patrick Reed used the same slur at the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, and Scott Piercy used an anti-gay slur in an Instagram post directed at former South Bend mayor and 2020 Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg. Piercy lost two endorsement deals as a result of his comments.
Thomas' comment highlighted the ongoing issue of homophobia in sports and the need for further progress in addressing it. Some commentators noted that Thomas' comment received less attention and had fewer consequences than if he had used a racial slur. This incident served as a reminder that homophobia in sports, and golf in particular, remains prevalent and requires continued efforts to eradicate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Golfer Justin Thomas used a homophobic slur at a tournament in Hawaii in January 2021.
Thomas apologised, saying, "I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that." He also said, "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."
While it is unclear whether Thomas was fined for his actions, he was dropped by Ralph Lauren.
Thomas was playing in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Yes, in 2020, Thomas stated his opposition to wearing a mic during tournaments, saying, "What I talk about with [caddie] Jimmy [Johnson] and what I talk about with the guys in my group is none of anybody else's business, no offense."
