The ancient club-and-ball game again is under fire with global clothing brand Ralph Loren stripping superstar American Justin Thomas of their attire following a homophobic slur in the opening event of the year.
Thomas, 27, could be heard uttering the controversial remark in missing a putt during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
The 2017 PGA champion and winner of 14 other pro tournaments was wearing one of Ralph Loren’s RLX polo shirts at the time.
Thomas signed with Ralph Loren in turning pro in 2013 and then in 2018, he signed an extension with the company through to the end of this year.
The American clothing giant issued a statement saying: “We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas’s recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values.
Justin Thomas stripped of his Ralph Lauren contract after verbal incident at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
“While we acknowledge that he has apologized and recognizes 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.
“As we make this decision, our hope is that Mr. Thomas does the hard and necessary work in order to partner with us again – truly examining this incident, learning, growing and ultimately using his platform to promote inclusion.”
Thomas was quick to offer an apology when being informed after his Hawaiian round that his remark had been clearly picked-up by the Golf Channel coverage of the ‘winners-only’ PGA Tour event.
The PGA is also believed to have handed Thomas a hefty fine.
Thomas said at the time: “There’s just no excuse. 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 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”.
News of Thomas comes just two days after double Major-winning Angel Cabrera was arrested in Brazil over charges of beating his police officer wife, theft and other charges.
The 51-year-old Cabrera is being held ahead of being extradited to his homeland of Argentina.
A police statement said the arrest was authorized by Brazil’s top court and the man would be held until his extradition to Argentina. Officials in Argentina have charged the suspect with assault, theft, illegal intimidation and repeated disrespect to authorities, the statement said.
And the golf world is still reeling from the decision by South African legend, Gary Player and Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam to accept ‘Presidential Freedom’ medals from US President Donald Trump a day following the deadly Washington Capitol riots.
There have been no photographs seen of Player and Sorenstam from the presentation and with legendary New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichik last week informing the White House he was declining his medal as a protest to Trump’s backing of the riots.
