KAPALUA, Hawaii – Justin Thomas apologized yesterday for uttering a homophobic insult when he missed a putt during the Champions Tournament.
“It’s inexcusable,” Thomas said of the foul-sounding, barely audible word he uttered when he attempted a five-foot putt that may have given him the pair in the fourth hole, during Saturday’s round. “First of all, I’m sorry, I’m an adult, I’m already big and there’s no reason at all for me to say something like that.”
“It was terrible. I’m extremely embarrassed. I’m not like that. That doesn’t define the person I am or what I do. Unfortunately I said it, take responsibility and apologize.”
The American commented that he was not on target that his reaction was captured by the television broadcast and much less that it had become a topic on social media, but until after the round, which ended with a 68-hit card, five under par, four hits from the top.
The PGA Tour issued a statement to address the issue.
“As he said after his round, this comment from Justin was unacceptable,” the agency said.
It seems likely that the PGA will impose a fine for conduct deemed inappropriate by a professional. However, the tour does not usually reveal its disciplinary measures.
Thomas, who placed first in the rankings for a week last year, is the defending champion at Kapalua.