Pro PGA golfer Justin Thomas has been criticized after uttering a homophobic slur heard on Golf channel’s telecast of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. During the third round at Kapalua, Thomas was facing a four-foot putt for par but ended up missing it to the right. He then walked past the hole and, before tapping it in for bogey, was heard muttering the homophobic slur. He apologized after the round and after the final round of the tournament. Thomas has recently announced he had engaged in a training program but left the details out wanting to keep it at a “personal level”. 

The PGA Tour responded to the accusations, saying to golf digest “As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin’s comment was unacceptable.” Players wearing microphones at tournaments have been a topic of controversy between the tour and the networks that host the events. Golfers including Justin Thomas have been open about the use of microphones in the past Some golfers have already responded to the situation that unfolded at Kapalua, including one of Justin Thomas’s closest friends on tour Rory Mcilroy with him acknowledging that Thomas has “responded really, really well.” Sponsors of Thomas’s have taken different stances on the action that took place, with Ralph Lauren deciding to part ways and Citibank sticking by his side to support LQBTQ+ causes.  

It shows how quickly your life can change with one mistake even when you are known for being a good person. Just last year Thomas launched a charity foundation for kids and the military. The action that Justin Thomas took after missing the putt was unacceptable and shows how homophobia is still very much a real thing in the world of sports. 

CameronC

Featured Image: Justin Thomas under fire for uttering homophobic slur (Source: Cliff Hawkins | Getty Images)