Justin Thomas Responds To Losing Ralph Lauren Sponsorship

The 2017 PGA Champion says he put the company in a terrible position

Justin Thomas Responds To Losing Ralph Lauren Sponsorship
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The 2017 PGA Champion says he put the company in a terrible position

Justin Thomas Responds To Losing Ralph Lauren Sponsorship

Justin Thomas says he was upset after having his sponsorship cut with Ralph Lauren and respects the company's decision after putting it in a "terrible position."

The World No.3 had his sponsorship discontinued after using a homophobic slur at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii earlier this month.

Thomas spoke extensively about the split ahead of the Abu Dhabi Championship after his good friend Rory McIlroy supported him.

"It's humiliating, it's embarrassing, and it's not me," Thomas told media.

"It's not a word that I use, but for some reason, it was in there.

"And that's what I'm trying to figure out as to why it was in there, and it's going to be a part of this process and training program or whatever I need to do, not only to prove to myself but prove to my sponsors and prove to those people that don't know who I am that that is indeed not the person I am.

"I think disappointed is the wrong word, obviously I was upset.

"But at the end of the day, they have that right. They had to make the decision that they had to make.

"I spoke with them along with all of my sponsors. Although I apologised, it's like it was then; it's an opportunity for me to grow and I felt like it was something we could have done together and gone through that process.

"They just felt like they needed to move on. That's exactly what I'm doing, as well. It was a great run that we had and a great partnership, but you know, things will work out for the best.

"Just like my other partners and other sponsorships, it was an opportunity for them to help me, just like I hope to help them. But like I said, they had to do what they had to do.

"They are a huge, huge global brand, and I have to respect their decision.

"I wasn't disappointed, because I put them in a terrible position. I just was more upset.

Related: Justin Thomas What's in the bag?

"I had a great relationship with a lot of people there, and like I said, we would have had the opportunity to do it together, and I totally respect their decision and I've moved on from it."

"I've had great communication with all of them. It was obviously not calls or emails I was hoping or planning to make, but I needed to because I have some great long-lasting partnerships with all my sponsors. They know that's not the person that I am.

"They know that's not how I act and although they are far from brushing it to the side just like I am, they understand that this is an opportunity for me to educate myself, grow, become a better person.

"I know that I'll become a better man and a better person because of it, and they are going to kind of help me along that process."

Related: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Betting Tips

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV