American fashion giant Ralph Lauren Corp. dropped its sponsorship of world number three golfer, Justin Thomas, on Friday, six days after his homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones. 
 
Thomas apologized the next day for his "terrible" and "inexcusable" remark, but in a statement Friday, the New York-based apparel firm said that his words could not be associated with their brand. "We believe in the dignity of all people, regardless of age, race, gender identity, ethnicity, political affiliation or sexual orientation," the Ralph Lauren statement said.

"This is part of our longstanding commitment to foster cultures of belonging –- in the workplace and in communities around the world.&nbsp;

"We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas's recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values."

Thomas, a 27-year-old American, uttered the anti-gay slur on the fourth hole of his third round at the US PGA Tournament of Champions in Hawaii after missing a five-foot par putt, causing an immediate stir on social media.

"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," Ralph Lauren said.

"In reflecting on the responsibility we have to all of our stakeholders, we have decided to discontinue our sponsorship of Mr. Thomas at this time.

"As we make this decision, our hope is that Mr. Thomas does the hard and necessary work in order to partner with us again -– truly examining this incident, learning, growing and ultimately using his platform to promote inclusion."

Thomas, who won a major title at the 2017 PGA Championship,&nbsp;finished third in the event, which he had won in 2020.

American fashion giant Ralph Lauren Corp. dropped its sponsorship of world number three golfer, Justin Thomas, on Friday, six days after his homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones.

American fashion giant Ralph Lauren Corp. dropped its sponsorship of world number three golfer, Justin Thomas, on Friday, six days after his homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones. Thomas apologized the next day for his "terrible" and "inexcusable" remark, but in a statement Friday, the New York-based apparel firm said that his words could not be associated with their brand. "We believe in the dignity of all people, regardless of age, race, gender identity, ethnicity, political affiliation or sexual orientation," the Ralph Lauren statement said. "This is part of our longstanding commitment to foster cultures of belonging –- in the workplace and in communities around the world. "We are disheartened by Mr. Thomas's recent language, which is entirely inconsistent with our values." Thomas, a 27-year-old American, uttered the anti-gay slur on the fourth hole of his third round at the US PGA Tournament of Champions in Hawaii after missing a five-foot par putt, causing an immediate stir on social media. "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," Ralph Lauren said. "In reflecting on the responsibility we have to all of our stakeholders, we have decided to discontinue our sponsorship of Mr. Thomas at this time. "As we make this decision, our hope is that Mr. Thomas does the hard and necessary work in order to partner with us again -– truly examining this incident, learning, growing and ultimately using his platform to promote inclusion." Thomas, who won a major title at the 2017 PGA Championship, finished third in the event, which he had won in 2020.

Ralph Lauren ends sponsor deal with golfer Justin Thomas after anti-gay slur

Golf's world number three Justin Thomas has apologised after a homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones at the US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions on Saturday.

"It's inexcusable," Thomas said. "First off, I just apologize. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It's terrible. I'm extremely embarrassed.&nbsp;

"It's not who I am, it's not the kind of person that I am or anything that I do.

"Unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic."

Thomas' anti-gay slur stirred a controversy on social media. He uttered it on the fourth hole of his third round in Hawaii after missing a five-foot par putt.&nbsp;

The US PGA Tour is expected to fine Thomas for the remark. "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable," the PGA Tour said in a statement.

Thomas finished his round by shooting a five-under 68 and is tied for fifth place with one round to play, four shots back of co-leaders Harris English and Ryan Palmer who are at 21-under par.

(Inputs from AFP)

Golf's world number three Justin Thomas has apologised after a homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones at the US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions on Saturday.

Golf's world number three Justin Thomas has apologised after a homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones at the US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions on Saturday. "It's inexcusable," Thomas said. "First off, I just apologize. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. 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. "Unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic." Thomas' anti-gay slur stirred a controversy on social media. He uttered it on the fourth hole of his third round in Hawaii after missing a five-foot par putt. The US PGA Tour is expected to fine Thomas for the remark. "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable," the PGA Tour said in a statement. Thomas finished his round by shooting a five-under 68 and is tied for fifth place with one round to play, four shots back of co-leaders Harris English and Ryan Palmer who are at 21-under par. (Inputs from AFP)

Golfer Justin Thomas apologises after a homophobic slur at Sentry

British ace Andy Murray has asked the officials to rename Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena over her controversial anti-gay stance. The three-time Grand Slam winner said: "I don't think her values are what tennis stands for".

British ace Andy Murray has asked the officials to rename Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena over her controversial anti-gay stance. The three-time Grand Slam winner said: "I don't think her values are what tennis stands for". Murray's remarks follow calls from WTA founder Billie Jean King to remove Court's name from one of the top tennis arenas/stadiums at the Australian Open's Melbourne Park venue. Also read: Navratilova, McEnroe row with Margaret Court heats up at Australian Open "She has obviously offended and upset a lot of people over the years," said Murray in an interview with Pridelife.com. "I think the players certainly have spoken up, which is a positive thing. "As far as renaming the venue. I think that yes, it's something the sport should consider. I don't know who makes the final decision on that but I don't think her values are what tennis stands for. "When you get to the Australian Open you want to concentrate on the tennis. Court's views detract from that," said Murray, who has been men's singles runner-up five times at the Melbourne Grand Slam tournament. Magaret Court is considered to be the greatest women's tennis player who holds a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles. In January earlier this year, Tennis Australia held a low-key ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of her 1970 calendar-year Grand Slam after noting her views had "demeaned and hurt many in our community". In retirement, Court, who follows a Christian church pastor, gave controversial statements on topics of race and homosexuality. The Australian once praised South Africa's apartheid system, said "tennis is full of lesbians" and described transgender children as "the work of the devil". "Court was given a ceremony at the Australian Open this year to mark her achievements in the game, but the reception she received from the public was lukewarm," Murray said. During this year's Australian Open, American tennis legends John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova unfurled a banner on-court calling for Margaret Court Arena to be renamed after Evonne Goolagong, the three-time Australian Open winner. They were later condemned for the act. (Inputs from AFP)

British ace Andy Murray calls for renaming of Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena

Andrew Scheer, the head of Canada's opposition Conservatives, on Friday dropped one of his candidates for the Oct. 21 election and faced repeated questions about why he had not revealed that he has dual US citizenship.

Polls show the Conservatives have a chance to beat the ruling Liberals, but his campaign has been on the defensive since Thursday when a newspaper revealed that he is also a US citizen. After the Globe and Mail newspaper broke the news on Thursday, Scheer said he was giving up his American citizenship.

"It's not a big deal to have dual citizenship here in Canada," he told reporters, who asked him whether he had ever filed taxes in the United States or registered for the US military draft at 18.

Scheer instead took aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is trying to recover from images showing him dressed in blackface, and accused him of breaking promises to eliminate the budget deficit and make life more affordable.

"When Canadians are looking at what he is offering this election, they know they cannot trust him," Scheer said.

Trudeau told reporters in Quebec City that Scheer needed to be honest with Canadians about his dual citizenship and noted that he had apologised repeatedly for the blackface incidents.

"Mr. Scheer continues to not take responsibility for his choices of the past, his actions of the past, his mistakes of the past," Trudeau said.

In a further setback for Scheer, the Conservative Party announced it had dropped one of its candidates in British Columbia, Heather Leung, for making offensive comments about gays, including that they "recruit" children.

"Heather Leung is no longer representing the Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of Burnaby North-Seymour," the party said in a statement. "There is no tolerance in the Conservative Party for those types of offensive comments."

Her name will still be on the ballot because the deadline has passed to nominate or remove candidates, but she will not receive Conservative support, and should she win, she will not sit with the party caucus in parliament.

Separately on Friday, the federal government said it would appeal a human rights ruling last month that ordered Ottawa to compensate aboriginal children who had been removed from their homes and put into welfare.

Trudeau told reporters that while he agrees with the idea of compensation, the government needed time to consult with its partners. Such talks could not take place during an election campaign, he added.

Andrew Scheer, the head of Canada's opposition Conservatives, on Friday dropped one of his candidates for the Oct. 21 election and faced repeated questions about why he had not revealed that he has dual US citizenship.

Andrew Scheer, the head of Canada's opposition Conservatives, on Friday dropped one of his candidates for the Oct. 21 election and faced repeated questions about why he had not revealed that he has dual US citizenship. Polls show the Conservatives have a chance to beat the ruling Liberals, but his campaign has been on the defensive since Thursday when a newspaper revealed that he is also a US citizen. After the Globe and Mail newspaper broke the news on Thursday, Scheer said he was giving up his American citizenship. "It's not a big deal to have dual citizenship here in Canada," he told reporters, who asked him whether he had ever filed taxes in the United States or registered for the US military draft at 18. Scheer instead took aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is trying to recover from images showing him dressed in blackface, and accused him of breaking promises to eliminate the budget deficit and make life more affordable. "When Canadians are looking at what he is offering this election, they know they cannot trust him," Scheer said. Trudeau told reporters in Quebec City that Scheer needed to be honest with Canadians about his dual citizenship and noted that he had apologised repeatedly for the blackface incidents. "Mr. Scheer continues to not take responsibility for his choices of the past, his actions of the past, his mistakes of the past," Trudeau said. In a further setback for Scheer, the Conservative Party announced it had dropped one of its candidates in British Columbia, Heather Leung, for making offensive comments about gays, including that they "recruit" children. "Heather Leung is no longer representing the Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of Burnaby North-Seymour," the party said in a statement. "There is no tolerance in the Conservative Party for those types of offensive comments." Her name will still be on the ballot because the deadline has passed to nominate or remove candidates, but she will not receive Conservative support, and should she win, she will not sit with the party caucus in parliament. Separately on Friday, the federal government said it would appeal a human rights ruling last month that ordered Ottawa to compensate aboriginal children who had been removed from their homes and put into welfare. Trudeau told reporters that while he agrees with the idea of compensation, the government needed time to consult with its partners. Such talks could not take place during an election campaign, he added.

Canada opposition chief pressed on US citizenship, drops candidate for anti-gay comments