The Justin Thomas Scandal: What He Said to Get Fired

Justin Thomas, one of golf’s biggest stars, was fired from a long-term sponsorship deal with Ralph Lauren after an offensive and unprofessional outburst at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in early January 2021. The incident was caught on national television, sparking backlash and public outcry from the media and sponsors alike, eventually forcing Thomas to apologize publicly and take responsibility for his words. In this article, we will explore the events of the scandal, what Thomas said to get himself fired, and the consequences Thomas is now facing.

The Incident

During the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January 2021, Thomas was visibly frustrated with his play, mumbling and exclaiming under his breath numerous times throughout the round. On the fourth tee, he struck a particularly errant tee shot and let out an incredibly offensive and unprofessional phrase, captured on national television. The incident was vetted to start a firestorm of criticism and eventual backlash, announcing Thomas’s termination from his long-term sponsorship deal with Ralph Lauren.

What Justin Thomas Said

The phrase in question was “F*** Yeah!” muttered under his breath, which is an incredibly derogatory phrase in any circumstances but particularly when said in a moment of frustration in a professional tournament. Thomas immediately realized the severity of his words and voiced an apology to playing partners and caddies right away. However, after the tournament, Thomas publicly apologized, saying that he was “extremely embarrassed and disappointed in himself” and that “there’s just no excuse”.

The Consequences

Thomas has been the recipient of numerous repercussions and consequences due to his outburst. The most significant of these came in the form of the termination of Thomas’s sponsorship deal with Ralph Lauren. He had been affiliated with the brand since 2017 and had enjoyed a long-term relationship with the company, so it is a huge blow for his career. He has also been issued a substantial fine from the PGA Tour and has been suspended from the Verizon WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in late July 2021.

Some have commented that it is difficult to judge Thomas harshly, given the fact that it was a single moment of frustration without malicious intent. However, Thomas has taken the incident entirely in stride and does not regret his words or his apology in the slightest. This incident has been a learning experience for Thomas and is sure to create a more mature and level-headed approach to golf tournaments in the future.