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Home » Justin Thomas dropped by Ralph Lauren over homophobic slur

Justin Thomas dropped by Ralph Lauren over homophobic slur

Justin Thomas Ralph Lauren

Justin Thomas has been dropped by sponsor Ralph Lauren following his homophobic slur at the Tournament of Champions.

Thomas missed a relatively short par putt during his third round at the season-opening PGA Tour event at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort.

His reaction was picked up by on course microphones, and he was heard muttering the word “faggot” at himself as he tapped home for a bogey.

The incident can be seen below:

Thomas has had a long-standing relationship with Ralph Lauren Golf to wear the company’s golf attire. But that has now been terminated with the American clothing giant announcing the split.

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“We are disheartened by Mr Thomas’s recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values,” Ralph Lauren said in a statement.

“While we acknowledge that he has apologised and recognises 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.

“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.”

Thomas apologised for the indiscretion immediately after his round, telling The Golf Channel that he regretted his inexcusable error in Hawaii.

“There’s no excuse,” said Thomas, who went on to finished third in the Tournament of Champions. “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 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.”