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 barely audible, rude word he uttered when he tried a five-foot putt that could have equalized him in the fourth hole during Saturday’s round. “First of all, I apologize, I’m an adult, I’m already grown up and there’s no reason to say that.”
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The American commented that he was not aware that his reaction was caught by the TV show, much less that it became a topic on social networks, until after the round, which ended with a card of 68 strokes, five reduced torque , four impacts 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 that the PGA will impose a fine for the behavior considered unprofessional. However, the tour does not usually reveal its disciplinary measures.
Thomas, who topped the standings a week last year, is the defending champion at Kapalua.