Trevor Ng
In 2021, Justin Thomas, the world's number 3 male golfer, used a homophobic slur at a tournament in Hawaii. After missing a putt, Thomas was caught on a hot mic using the slur, for which he later apologized. This incident sparked a conversation about homophobia in golf and led to calls for more inclusive language and behavior in the sport. While Thomas expressed remorse and owned up to his mistake, it raised questions about the broader culture within the golfing world and the need for athletes and organizations to actively promote LGBTQ+ inclusion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golfer's name | Justin Thomas |
| Golfer's ranking | World No. 3 |
| Incident | Used a homophobic slur |
| Incident cause | Missed a putt |
| Incident location | Sentry Tournament of Champions, Hawaii |
| Incident date | January 2021 |
| Response | Apologized and took responsibility |
| Fine | Likely fined for conduct unbecoming a professional |
| Previous incidents | Patrick Reed (2014), Scott Piercy (2020) |
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What You'll Learn
Justin Thomas' homophobic slur at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii
During the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii, American golfer Justin Thomas, the world number three, was caught on a Golf Channel microphone uttering a homophobic slur under his breath. This happened when he missed a putt for a two-metre par on the fourth hole.
Thomas immediately apologized for his actions, 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." He continued, "Unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic."
Thomas was likely to be fined for conduct unbecoming a professional, although the PGA Tour does not disclose such punishments. This incident was not the first time a professional golfer has faced backlash for expressing homophobic sentiments. In 2014, Patrick Reed had to apologize for using a homophobic slur in Shanghai, and Scott Piercy lost endorsement deals for sharing a homophobic meme on social media.
Thomas' use of a homophobic slur during the tournament in Hawaii sparked widespread criticism and prompted him to reflect on his choice of words. His apology and acknowledgment of the incident's severity demonstrated a commitment to taking responsibility for his actions. While the financial penalties may not be disclosed, Thomas' public response and the PGA Tour's statement underscored the unacceptability of such language in professional golf.
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Thomas' apology for his homophobic language
On January 9, 2021, Justin Thomas, the world No. 3 male golfer, used a homophobic slur during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii. Thomas missed a putt on the fourth hole and, unaware that his words were being picked up by television microphones, muttered the highly offensive term "fa*t" under his breath.
After the incident, Thomas issued an apology, 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. Unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic."
Thomas added that he wished he could get a mulligan, acknowledging that his comment was “inexcusable” and “unacceptable." He also expressed his desire to learn from the incident and be better.
Thomas's sponsors, Ralph Lauren, dropped him following the incident, releasing a statement that read:
> "We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas' recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values. While we acknowledge that he has apologized and recognizes 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."
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Scott Piercy's homophobic social media posts
In March 2020, PGA Tour player Scott Piercy shared a homophobic meme on Instagram about Pete Buttigieg, the openly gay former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. Piercy's post implied that Buttigieg was homosexual. This was not the first time Piercy had been accused of posting alt-right memes and referencing extreme far-right conspiracy theories, such as "QAnon".
Piercy's Instagram story consisted of two posts. The first referenced QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory about "deep state" operations targeting President Donald Trump that has been condemned by the FBI. The second post was a homophobic meme about Buttigieg.
After receiving backlash, Piercy issued an apology in a third Instagram story, saying, "Whenever I post my intent is NEVER to offend. I want to apologize if any of my recent posts have been offensive. I will do better!". The PGA Tour also released a statement, saying they were "disappointed in the lack of judgment used".
Despite his apology, Piercy was dropped by three of his major sponsors: Acushnet, which owns Titleist and Footjoy, and J. Lindeberg, a Scandinavian fashion brand. Piercy's behaviour was deemed homophobic and offensive, and his comments were criticised for violating the Tour's "conduct unbecoming a professional" policy.
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Patrick Reed's use of a homophobic slur in Shanghai in 2014
In 2014, Patrick Reed, a professional golfer, used a homophobic slur during the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China. The incident occurred when Reed made a bogey on the 10th hole at the Sheshan International Golf Club. After missing a putt and three-putting, Reed was caught by television microphones uttering a homophobic slur along with profane language. The specific words he uttered were, "Nice f---ing three-putt, you f---ing f----t."
Reed's use of offensive language was quickly met with backlash and calls for disciplinary action. The PGA Tour issued a statement, stating that they would handle the matter privately and in accordance with their regulations prohibiting the use of obscene language on the golf course. Reed promptly apologized for his actions, taking to Twitter to express remorse for his word choice and acknowledging that his passion to play well got the best of him. He stated, "I'm sorry for using offensive language today in China. My passion to play well got the best of me and my word choice was unacceptable."
This incident was not an isolated case of homophobic language use in the world of golf. Other golfers, such as Scott Piercy, have also come under fire for using homophobic slurs or making discriminatory comments. The sport has faced scrutiny and calls for promoting inclusivity and eradicating discriminatory behavior among players and fans alike.
Reed's use of a homophobic slur in Shanghai in 2014 serves as a reminder that discriminatory language has no place in sports or any other sphere. It underscores the ongoing need for education, awareness, and accountability to foster an inclusive and respectful environment, particularly in competitive arenas like professional golf.
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The PGA Tour's response to Thomas' slur
In January 2021, Justin Thomas, the world's number 3 golfer, was caught on a microphone using a homophobic slur at a PGA Tour tournament in Hawaii. After missing a putt, Thomas used the term as a reaction and later issued an apology, expressing embarrassment and acknowledging that his behaviour was inexcusable.
The PGA Tour responded to the incident by releasing a statement expressing their agreement with Thomas that his comment was unacceptable. They also announced that Thomas would likely be fined for conduct unbecoming of a professional, although the specific amount of the fine was not disclosed. The PGA Tour's statement read: "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable."
In addition to the PGA Tour's response, Thomas also faced consequences from his sponsors. Ralph Lauren, one of Thomas's main sponsors, ended their relationship with the golfer in the wake of the incident. Thomas expressed his disappointment over being dropped by the brand and reflected on the incident as humiliating and embarrassing. He also mentioned that he had been in contact with his other sponsors, who were supporting his efforts to educate himself and become a better person.
Thomas's actions sparked a broader conversation about homophobia in golf and the need for education and accountability. Some commentators noted that Thomas's use of a homophobic slur was not an isolated incident within the sport. For example, in 2014, Patrick Reed had to apologise for using a homophobic slur in Shanghai. Additionally, Scott Piercy, another PGA Tour player, lost endorsement deals after sharing a homophobic meme on social media in 2020.
Overall, the PGA Tour's response to Thomas's slur was to acknowledge the unacceptability of his comments, issue a fine, and prompt broader discussions about homophobia in golf. The incident also led to Thomas facing consequences from sponsors and sparked a dialogue about the need for education and accountability within the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
A homophobic slur is a word or phrase that is used to insult or demean lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) people.
Homophobic slur golf is a term used to refer to an incident where a golfer, Justin Thomas, used a homophobic slur during a tournament.
During the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, Thomas missed a five-foot par putt on the fourth hole. As he went to tap in the bogey, microphones picked up his use of a homophobic slur.
Thomas issued an apology, saying, "There's no excuse. 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 I am, but unfortunately I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic."
Yes, Patrick Reed also had to apologize in Shanghai in 2014 when he used a homophobic slur after three-putting. In addition, Scott Piercy, a four-time PGA Tour winner, lost multiple endorsement deals for sharing a homophobic meme on social media.
