Justin Thomas apologizes for homophobic slur

Missed putt in 3rd round at Kapalua prompts American to bash himself verbally in exasperation, which he calls ‘inexcusable’

Justin Thomas quickly apologized for a homophobic slur that he called himself in exasperation after missing a short putt during the third round of the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions on Saturday in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Thomas uttered the slur on the fourth hole at Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course after missing a 4-foot putt for par, and the comment was broadcast via a Golf Channel microphone.

Thomas, 27, an American and 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, apologized after the round upon being told that the slur was televised.

“There’s just no excuse,” he told Golf Channel's Todd Lewis. “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 who I am. It’s not the kind of person that I am. But it’s … unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it, and I’m very apologetic.”

Thomas likely will be fined under the PGA Tour’s bylaws that define “conduct unbecoming a professional,” though the Tour does not disclose such disciplinary measures.

“It’s in excusable. I’m speechless. … it’s bad,” Thomas said. “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[m] I offended, and I’ll be better because of it.”

Thomas, the T of C's defending champion, rebounded quickly from the missed putt and the verbal misfire, making eagle on the next hole, the par-5 fifth, en route to a 5-under 68 in the third round. He ultimately finished third, one stroke out of a playoff between Joaquin Niemann and eventual winner Harris English (scores).

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