Justin Thomas admits he was ‘upset’ when clothing giant Ralph Lauren stripped the American of a mult-million dollar clothing contract.

Thomas was wearning a plain dark blue shirt when he spoke to the media ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and his first event since the controversy of uttering a homophobic slur during the third round of last fortnight’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

Justin Thomas admitting he was ‘upset’ being stripped of Ralph Lauren contract.

And no sooner had the visiting American settled behind the microphone and the current World No. 3 found himself being asked whether he felt ‘disappointed’ by the decision of Ralph Lauren.

“I think disappointed is the wrong word as obviously I was upset but at the end of the day, they had their right and they had to make the decisions they had to make,” said Thomas.

“I spoke with them along with all my sponsors and although I apologised it is just like it was then as it’s an opportunity for me to grow.

“Although it was something that I thought we could have done together and gone through that process.  They just felt like they needed to move on, so that is exactly what I am doing, as well.

“It was a great run we had together.  It was a great partnership but things will work out for the best.”

Thomas was asked a follow-up question as to whether of his other sponors are also considering withdrawing their support.

“I’ve had great communications with all my other sponsors and they were not calls or emails I was expecting to make but I needed to as I have some long and lasting partnerships with all my sponsors, and I they know that that was not the person I am.

“They know that is not how I act although they are far from brushing it to the side, and just as I am, they understand this is an opportunity for me to educate mysel and to grow, and to become a better person just like they know I hope I will become a better person because of it and they are kind of going to help me along that process.”