PGA's Justin Thomas Wins 1st Tournament Since Anti-Gay Slur Incident

Publish date: 2024-08-15
Getty

Two months after muttering an anti-gay slur on the golf course ... Justin Thomas was back holding up a trophy -- winning the Players Championship on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass.

The 27-year-old lost several major sponsors -- including Ralph Lauren -- back in January after television mics caught him using the f-word during a round at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

Thomas had missed a 5-foot putt ... and, as he kicked the ensuing shot into the hole, he said "f*****" under his breath.

FRUSTRATING PUTT

Thomas later called the incident "inexcusable" and apologized ... saying, "It's terrible. I'm extremely embarrassed. It's not who I am; it's not the kind of person that I am or anything that I do."

A few weeks later in February, Justin lost his grandpa, who died at 89 years old ... and then also nearly lost his good pal, Tiger Woods, in a terrifying car crash just weeks after that.

Thomas -- who had intended to enter a "training program" to learn from the anti-gay slur incident -- said all of it had tested him "mentally, physically, emotionally."

But, Thomas finally put everything behind him this weekend ... and used a monster 4th-round Sunday to hold off stars like Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau to earn the PGA Tour win.

"It’s been a crappy couple of months," Thomas said Sunday. "I’ve had stuff happen in my life I never thought I’d have happen."

Thomas added, "I kept telling everyone on my team or my family I’m ready for something good to happen this year."

"It’s been a pretty bad year and a lot of bad things have happened, but that’s life. I’d say this qualifies as something good."

related articles

PGA's Jordan Spieth Pauses Practice Round To Hear Kid's Speech, Adorable Video!

PGA Star Collin Morikawa Chokes Back Tears Thanking Tiger Woods After Win

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbnZZ5qopV9nfXN9jmlqaGllZLe2v9OipWasmKS6or%2BMrZ%2BeZaChrrqx0axknKCRor2qu82sn6KoXam9pHnSmq6gqpGowG6tza2gZp%2BRrnq0uNSrZg%3D%3D