Justin Thomas Dropped By Ralph Lauren After Homophobic Slur
The 2017 PGA Champion has had his sponsorship 'discontinued' after making a homophobic slur on the PGA Tour
The 2017 PGA Champion has had his sponsorship 'discontinued' after making a homophobic slur on the PGA Tour
Justin Thomas Dropped By Ralph Lauren After Homophobic Slur
Ralph Lauren says it has discontinued its sponsorship of World No.3 Justin Thomas after the American used a homophobic slur during the Tournament of Champions.
Thomas uttered an offensive word after missing a putt at Kapalua, which he apologised for and said doesn't reflect who he is.
A week on, he has been dropped by his long-time sponsors whom he has been with since turning professional in 2013.
"We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas’s recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values," a Ralph Lauren statement said.
"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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"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.
"As we make this decision, our hope is that Mr. Thomas does the hard and necessary work in order to partner with us again – truly examining this incident, learning, growing and ultimately using his platform to promote inclusion."
Thomas is yet to release a statement.
Related: 15 things you didn't know about Justin Thomas
“There’s just 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,” Thomas told the Golf Channel after the incident.
“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 inexcusable. 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 apologise to everybody and anybody who I offended and I’ll be better because of it.”
Related: Two-time Major winner Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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