Golfer Justin Thomas apologized on Saturday for using a homophobic slander after missing a shot.
A microphone caught Thomas using the caption, after he didn’t putt during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
“There is absolutely no reason for me to say something like that. It’s terrible, ”Thomas told the Golf Channel after the game. “There is simply no excuse.”
Thomas, who was not immediately found on Sunday, told the Golf Channel that the comments do not reflect who he is, said he was “very apologetic”.
“As he expressed after his round, we agreed that Justin’s comment was unacceptable,” said the PGA in a statement on Sunday.
The Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ rights group, condemned the slander. “This type of discriminatory language causes real damage and there is no place for that in sport. We must continue to work towards greater inclusion and acceptance, ”said HRC President Alphonso David on Twitter.
Thomas, 27, is a former world number one golfer and has won more than ten PGA tournaments.
