Golfer Justin Thomas apologizes after homophobic slur caught on broadcast - The Globe and Mail

Justin Thomas of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Jan. 9, 2021. Thomas has apologized for using a homophobic slur at the tournament.

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Justin Thomas apologized following Saturday’s third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii after he was heard uttering a homophobic slur during the television broadcast.

A microphone picked up the slur, which Thomas directed at himself after missing a short par putt on No. 4.

He apologized in an interview with Golf Channel after his round.

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“There’s just no excuse. I’m an adult. I’m a grown man,” said Thomas, ranked No. 3 in the world. “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. But unfortunately I did it and I have to own up to it and I’m very apologetic.

“Like I said, it’s in excusable. I’m speechless. 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 anyone and everybody who I offended and I’ll be better because of it.”

The PGA Tour also weighed in on the incident, saying, “As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin’s comment was unacceptable.”

Thomas, who shot 5-under 68 on Saturday and is 17-under for the tournament, enters Sunday’s final round four shots off the lead in fifth place. Thomas won the title at this event last season in a playoff.

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2021-01-10 20:58:53Z
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