Ralph Lauren drops sponsorship of Thomas after he uses homophobic slur

[January 16, 2021]    (Reuters) - Apparel company Ralph Lauren said on Friday that they were discontinuing their sponsorship of 13-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas after he used a homophobic slur during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii last week.

Justin Thomas lines up his putt on the third hole during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort - The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The world number three was heard via a television microphone uttering the slur after missing a five-foot putt on the fourth hole last Saturday. He later apologized, saying he made a "terrible judgment call" in the incident.

"We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas's recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values," Ralph Lauren said in a written statement.

"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."

The company added that it hoped the 27-year-old, who won the PGA Championship in 2017, "does the hard and necessary work in order to partner with us again."

(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

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