The Masters week has started with the traditional Par 3 contest which was won by Englishman Aaron Pai on Wednesday (Apr 8). The contest, however, saw much more drama including several holes-in-one shots. Among those who aced the holes were Wyndham Clark, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Keegan Bradley. The nine-hole course is Wednesday tradition of the Augusta Masters dating back to 1960 when Sam Snead won the inaugural contest. Both, players competing in the tournament and former champions are invited to play the thrilling contest. No Par 3 contest winner, however, has ever won the Masters. Have a look at the holes-in-one shots at Par 3 contest:<h2>Justin Thomas aces second hole</h2>Justin Thomas, the 32-yer-old American, who has two PGA Championships to his name (2017 and 2022), started by acing the second hole 15 minutes into the contest. As soon as the ball went inside the hole, he was ecstatic and immediately made 'money' gestures towards Jordan Spieth and Max Homa with whom he had made an apparent friendly bet. Have a look at the shot:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">What a way to start the Par 3 Contest. Hole-in-one for Justin Thomas on No. 2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/HHx7hFP73A">pic.twitter.com/HHx7hFP73A</a>&mdash; The Masters (@TheMasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/2041912563106000952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Wyndham Clark aces hole no. 7</h2>Wyndham Clark, the 2023 US Open champ, aced at hole no. 7 from 109 yards for the contest's second hole-in-one. This is the first time the hole has been aced since Lucas Glover did it back in 2024. Have a look at the shot:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Wyndham Clark aces hole No. 7. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/44esmoTW56">pic.twitter.com/44esmoTW56</a>&mdash; The Masters (@TheMasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/2041948196306395408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Keegan Bradley aces hole no. 8</h2>Keegan Bradley, who had won the PGA championship in 2011, was right behind Clark and aced hole no. 8. It was third hole-in-shot of the day and second in as many years for Bradley, who now is the first player in the history to ace holes in two back-to-back years. Have a look at the historic shot:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">A hole-in-one two years in a row for Keegan Bradley. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/IF8OrnqZdA">pic.twitter.com/IF8OrnqZdA</a>&mdash; The Masters (@TheMasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/2041933337149718901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Tommy Fleetwood aces one too</h2>The Englishman, who has never won a major, made the fourth hole-in-shot of the day when he aced fourth hole while playing with Shane Lowry and defending champ Rory McIlroy. Have a look at the shot:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Quite the role model. Tommy Fleetwood makes a hole-in-one with his son Frankie on the bag. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/YEsFGaujyV">pic.twitter.com/YEsFGaujyV</a>&mdash; The Masters (@TheMasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/2041961019623231728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Among those who aced the holes were Wyndham Clark, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Keegan Bradley. The nine-hole course is Wednesday tradition of the Augusta Masters dating back to 1960 when Sam Snead won the inaugural contest.

The Masters week has started with the traditional Par 3 contest which was won by Englishman Aaron Pai on Wednesday (Apr 8). The contest, however, saw much more drama including several holes-in-one shots. Among those who aced the holes were Wyndham Clark, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Keegan Bradley. The nine-hole course is Wednesday tradition of the Augusta Masters dating back to 1960 when Sam Snead won the inaugural contest. Both, players competing in the tournament and former champions are invited to play the thrilling contest. No Par 3 contest winner, however, has ever won the Masters. Have a look at the holes-in-one shots at Par 3 contest: Justin Thomas aces second hole Justin Thomas, the 32-yer-old American, who has two PGA Championships to his name (2017 and 2022), started by acing the second hole 15 minutes into the contest. As soon as the ball went inside the hole, he was ecstatic and immediately made 'money' gestures towards Jordan Spieth and Max Homa with whom he had made an apparent friendly bet. Have a look at the shot:

Among those who aced the holes were Wyndham Clark, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Keegan Bradley. The nine-hole course is Wednesday tradition of the Augusta Masters dating back to 1960 when Sam Snead won the inaugural contest.

Augusta Masters: 4 hole-in-shots in Par 3 contest including a historic one for Keegan Bradley - WATCH

Lee Hodges heads into Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open with a four-stroke lead after shooting an impressive seven-under-par 64 in Blaine, Minnesota on Friday. A two-hour rain delay meant that play was suspended at TPC Twin Cities due to darkness, with 11 players still on the course, but none of those still to finish their rounds were within 10 shots of the lead after Hodges birdied four of his final six holes.

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63-64 for Lee Hodges 🔥 
 
He leads by four after a dream start <a href="https://twitter.com/3MOpen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3MOpen</a>. <a href="https://t.co/dzTSmK3uV8">pic.twitter.com/dzTSmK3uV8</a>
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Tyler Duncan is nearest to Hodges, on 11-under after his bogey-free 67, while Kevin Streelman, J.T. Poston, defending champion Tony Finau and Brandt Snedeker are all five shots behind Hodges.

Overnight leader Hodges was two-under for the day when play was suspended, and returned to drain a 25-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole to seize the solo lead. He then produced an immaculate back nine with back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 and ended in style with a birdie on the par-3 17th and then the par-5 18th. Hodges, chasing a first US PGA Tour title, is 74th in the FedExCup standings, with the top 70 heading into the playoffs next month.

"I know where I'm at, but trying harder or changing what I'm doing's not going to make me play better or anything like that. I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing and see how it turns out," said the 28-year-old from Alabama.

"With my caddie...we've committed to every shot we've hit so far, which has been great. We'll continue to do it, because what do we have to lose?" he added.

Streelman and Poston shared the clubhouse lead at 10-under when the storm rolled through.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/juventus-excluded-from-european-competition-next-season-over-ffp-breach-uefa-620455">Juventus excluded from European competition next season over FFP breach - UEFA</a>

Streelman had three birdies without a bogey after adjusting to the changed course conditions on Friday morning.

"I didn't make a ton of putts, but kind of did what I was supposed to," he said. "The greens were running beautifully today, much faster than yesterday. We all jammed our first putts pretty far past the hole so that took some on-course adjusting."

Poston carded his second straight 66, rolling in five birdies without a bogey.

Finau had to wait out the delay, but had four of his eight birdies on the back nine as he also carded a second straight 66.

Former world number one Justin Thomas, who added the event to his schedule as he battles to make the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs, carded an even-par 71 that left him looking at a missed cut.

Thomas's six birdies included four in his last five holes, but he had two double bogeys, including finding the water twice at the par-five 18th, his ninth hole of the day.

That left him at 2-under, two short of the projected cut. 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Lee Hodges heads into Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open with a four-stroke lead after shooting an impressive seven-under-par 64 in Blaine, Minnesota on Friday.

Lee Hodges heads into Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open with a four-stroke lead after shooting an impressive seven-under-par 64 in Blaine, Minnesota on Friday. A two-hour rain delay meant that play was suspended at TPC Twin Cities due to darkness, with 11 players still on the course, but none of those still to finish their rounds were within 10 shots of the lead after Hodges birdied four of his final six holes. 63-64 for Lee Hodges 🔥 He leads by four after a dream start @3MOpen. pic.twitter.com/dzTSmK3uV8 — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 29, 2023 × Tyler Duncan is nearest to Hodges, on 11-under after his bogey-free 67, while Kevin Streelman, J.T. Poston, defending champion Tony Finau and Brandt Snedeker are all five shots behind Hodges. Overnight leader Hodges was two-under for the day when play was suspended, and returned to drain a 25-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole to seize the solo lead. He then produced an immaculate back nine with back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 and ended in style with a birdie on the par-3 17th and then the par-5 18th. Hodges, chasing a first US PGA Tour title, is 74th in the FedExCup standings, with the top 70 heading into the playoffs next month. "I know where I'm at, but trying harder or changing what I'm doing's not going to make me play better or anything like that. I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing and see how it turns out," said the 28-year-old from Alabama. "With my caddie...we've committed to every shot we've hit so far, which has been great. We'll continue to do it, because what do we have to lose?" he added. Streelman and Poston shared the clubhouse lead at 10-under when the storm rolled through. ALSO READ: Juventus excluded from European competition next season over FFP breach - UEFA Streelman had three birdies without a bogey after adjusting to the changed course conditions on Friday morning. "I didn't make a ton of putts, but kind of did what I was supposed to," he said. "The greens were running beautifully today, much faster than yesterday. We all jammed our first putts pretty far past the hole so that took some on-course adjusting." Poston carded his second straight 66, rolling in five birdies without a bogey. Finau had to wait out the delay, but had four of his eight birdies on the back nine as he also carded a second straight 66. Former world number one Justin Thomas, who added the event to his schedule as he battles to make the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs, carded an even-par 71 that left him looking at a missed cut. Thomas's six birdies included four in his last five holes, but he had two double bogeys, including finding the water twice at the par-five 18th, his ninth hole of the day. That left him at 2-under, two short of the projected cut. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Golf: Lee Hodges leads 3M Open after dazzling finish, Justin Thomas misses cut

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will compete against fellow major winners Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida next month for the seventh edition of "The Match", Turner Sports said on Monday.

The 12-hole, made-for-TV exhibition on Dec. 10 will be played under the lights and will be the latest event for Woods, whose schedule this year has been limited to three starts after a February 2021 car crash that nearly cost him his right leg.

This will be Woods' third appearance in "The Match" after he lost to Phil Mickelson in the inaugural event in 2018 before getting some revenge in 2020 when he and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning beat Mickelson and current NFL great Tom Brady.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/frances-caroline-garcia-defeats-aryna-sabalenka-to-seal-wta-finals-victory-532098">France's Caroline Garcia defeats Aryna Sabalenka to seal WTA Finals victory</a>

So far this year Woods has played in April at the Masters where he faded over the weekend and finished 47th, withdrew in pain from the PGA Championship after the third round in May and missed the cut at the British Open in July.

For world number one McIlroy, No. 8 Thomas and Spieth (13), this will mark their debut in the series, which this time will serve as a platform to benefit relief efforts for Hurricane Ian which hit Florida's Gulf Coast last month.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/now-im-one-of-you-seven-time-f1-champ-lewis-hamilton-tells-brazil-as-he-becomes-honorary-citizen-532068">Now I'm one of you: Seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton tells Brazil as he becomes honorary citizen</a>

It will also be the second time the exhibition has been held this year after NFL quarterbacks Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen played at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas in June.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will compete against fellow major winners Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida next month for the seventh edition of "The Match", Turner Sports said on Monday.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will compete against fellow major winners Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida next month for the seventh edition of "The Match", Turner Sports said on Monday. The 12-hole, made-for-TV exhibition on Dec. 10 will be played under the lights and will be the latest event for Woods, whose schedule this year has been limited to three starts after a February 2021 car crash that nearly cost him his right leg. This will be Woods' third appearance in "The Match" after he lost to Phil Mickelson in the inaugural event in 2018 before getting some revenge in 2020 when he and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning beat Mickelson and current NFL great Tom Brady. Also Read: France's Caroline Garcia defeats Aryna Sabalenka to seal WTA Finals victory So far this year Woods has played in April at the Masters where he faded over the weekend and finished 47th, withdrew in pain from the PGA Championship after the third round in May and missed the cut at the British Open in July. For world number one McIlroy, No. 8 Thomas and Spieth (13), this will mark their debut in the series, which this time will serve as a platform to benefit relief efforts for Hurricane Ian which hit Florida's Gulf Coast last month. Also Read: Now I'm one of you: Seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton tells Brazil as he becomes honorary citizen It will also be the second time the exhibition has been held this year after NFL quarterbacks Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen played at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas in June.

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth to play in 'The Match' next month

Justin Thomas capped a breathtaking comeback by beating Will Zalatoris in a three-hole playoff to win the&nbsp;PGA&nbsp;Championship on Sunday after Chile's Mito Pereira blew a one-shot lead on the final hole.

The playoff ended a day of pulsating drama at Southern Hills Country Club that saw Thomas stage one of the greatest fightbacks in majors history and Pereira suffer one of the most calamitous collapses.

Seven back at the start of the final round, Thomas seized his chance in the playoff to clinch the Wanamaker trophy with a tap-in par on the 18th to beat Zalatoris by one.

It was a second major victory for Thomas, who also won the&nbsp;PGA&nbsp;Championship in 2017.

"I had a good feeling," said Thomas. "Although I was so far back there wasn't that many guys ahead of me, and it's a very tough golf course and anything could happen."

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The winning moment for <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinThomas34?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinThomas34</a> 💪 <a href="https://t.co/T8Opo2y4xh">pic.twitter.com/T8Opo2y4xh</a>
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Proud pops 😁 <a href="https://t.co/IBtjKqPre1">pic.twitter.com/IBtjKqPre1</a>
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Thomas's rally from seven shots back was the largest final-round comeback at the&nbsp;PGA&nbsp;Championship and it certainly impressed his good friend Tiger Woods, who also knows something about comebacks.

The 15-time major winner, who withdrew from the tournament on Saturday after carding a nine-over 79 , offered "Big congrats" to Thomas on social media.

"He kept himself in this championship until the very end and once he got his shot he didn’t look back," said Woods, who was playing his second event after a car crash 15 months ago nearly cost him his right leg.

Thomas, seemingly out of contention at the start of the final round, fell further behind with a bogey at the third to sit eight behind the leader.

But the world number nine would drop only one shot the rest of the way while ringing up five birdies for a three under-67.

Zalatoris, with a birdie at 18, joined Thomas at five-under 275 and with their work done retreated to watch Pereira, the leader by one, play the final hole.

MAJOR PRESSURE

Pereira had withstood brutal heat, punishing winds, rain and cold but on Sunday the pressure of a major was his undoing.

Playing in just his second major the 27-year-old Chilean, who had displayed nerves of steel the entire week, finally cracked at the 18th, sending his tee shot skidding into the creek guarding the green.

The rattled Chilean would take a double-bogey, leaving Thomas and Zalatoris to fight for the trophy.

"Today I was really nervous," admitted Pereira. "I tried to handle it a little bit but it's really tough.

"I thought I was going to win on 18, but it is what it is. We'll have another one."

Starting the last round with a three-shot advantage over Zalatoris and Britain's Matt Fitzpatrick, Pereira controlled his nerves for much of the day.

Zalatoris, on the front nine, and Cameron Young, on the back, joined Pereira at the top of the leaderboard but each time the Chilean pushed back quickly to retake the lead.

But he had no response after his tee shot on 18, finishing with a five-over 75 and tied for third with Young.

Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Kirk were a shot further back on three-under 277.

"You want to win a golf tournament," said Thomas. "You don't want someone to lose it.

"I have had times in my career when I feel like I've let a tournament get away. And I mean, it's brutal. It's not fun.

"I know that down the road, whether it's this year or years to come, if he's standing on 18 with a one-shot lead in a major, he's going to feel more comfortable because he's going to drawback on this experience."

Justin Thomas capped a breathtaking comeback by beating Will Zalatoris in a three-hole playoff to win the PGA Championship on Sunday after Chile's Mito Pereira blew a one-shot lead on the final hole.

Justin Thomas capped a breathtaking comeback by beating Will Zalatoris in a three-hole playoff to win the PGA Championship on Sunday after Chile's Mito Pereira blew a one-shot lead on the final hole. The playoff ended a day of pulsating drama at Southern Hills Country Club that saw Thomas stage one of the greatest fightbacks in majors history and Pereira suffer one of the most calamitous collapses. Seven back at the start of the final round, Thomas seized his chance in the playoff to clinch the Wanamaker trophy with a tap-in par on the 18th to beat Zalatoris by one. It was a second major victory for Thomas, who also won the PGA Championship in 2017. "I had a good feeling," said Thomas. "Although I was so far back there wasn't that many guys ahead of me, and it's a very tough golf course and anything could happen." The winning moment for @JustinThomas34 💪 pic.twitter.com/T8Opo2y4xh — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 23, 2022 × Proud pops 😁 pic.twitter.com/IBtjKqPre1 — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 23, 2022 × Thomas's rally from seven shots back was the largest final-round comeback at the PGA Championship and it certainly impressed his good friend Tiger Woods, who also knows something about comebacks. The 15-time major winner, who withdrew from the tournament on Saturday after carding a nine-over 79 , offered "Big congrats" to Thomas on social media. "He kept himself in this championship until the very end and once he got his shot he didn’t look back," said Woods, who was playing his second event after a car crash 15 months ago nearly cost him his right leg. Thomas, seemingly out of contention at the start of the final round, fell further behind with a bogey at the third to sit eight behind the leader. But the world number nine would drop only one shot the rest of the way while ringing up five birdies for a three under-67. Zalatoris, with a birdie at 18, joined Thomas at five-under 275 and with their work done retreated to watch Pereira, the leader by one, play the final hole. MAJOR PRESSURE Pereira had withstood brutal heat, punishing winds, rain and cold but on Sunday the pressure of a major was his undoing. Playing in just his second major the 27-year-old Chilean, who had displayed nerves of steel the entire week, finally cracked at the 18th, sending his tee shot skidding into the creek guarding the green. The rattled Chilean would take a double-bogey, leaving Thomas and Zalatoris to fight for the trophy. "Today I was really nervous," admitted Pereira. "I tried to handle it a little bit but it's really tough. "I thought I was going to win on 18, but it is what it is. We'll have another one." Starting the last round with a three-shot advantage over Zalatoris and Britain's Matt Fitzpatrick, Pereira controlled his nerves for much of the day. Zalatoris, on the front nine, and Cameron Young, on the back, joined Pereira at the top of the leaderboard but each time the Chilean pushed back quickly to retake the lead. But he had no response after his tee shot on 18, finishing with a five-over 75 and tied for third with Young. Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Kirk were a shot further back on three-under 277. "You want to win a golf tournament," said Thomas. "You don't want someone to lose it. "I have had times in my career when I feel like I've let a tournament get away. And I mean, it's brutal. It's not fun. "I know that down the road, whether it's this year or years to come, if he's standing on 18 with a one-shot lead in a major, he's going to feel more comfortable because he's going to drawback on this experience."

Justin Thomas stages major fightback to win PGA Championship in playoff

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

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/justin-thomas-wins-bmw-championship-by-three-strokes-over-cantlay-244021">Justin Thomas</a> survived a "disaster" at the 72nd hole before beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way playoff at the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in windswept <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures%3A-lava-fissures-in-hawaii-135117">Hawaii</a> on Sunday.

Thomas clinched victory with a three-foot birdie at the third extra hole, the par-five 18th, at the Kapalua Plantation course on Maui.

Schauffele was eliminated at the first hole of sudden death while Reed fell two holes later as the 26-year-old Thomas earned his 12th PGA Tour victory.

He had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead playing the final hole of regulation but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass.

He made a bogey for a four-under-par 69, while Schauffele had a three-putt par, missing a seven-footer for the win, and carded 70.

They fell into a playoff with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-moves-clear-as-woods-surges-in-bahamas-266577">Reed</a>, who earlier shot 66, at 14-under 278.

"For some reason I was supposed to win this week," Thomas said in a greenside interview after sinking his winning putt in semi-darkness.

"I got very, very lucky to even have that putt. I got very fortunate, but I also stuck to my process and tried to stay positive.

"Through 15 holes it was one of the best rounds I've ever played. I was in such control, tee to green, putting beautiful, my irons were awesome and then 18 was a disaster. It worked out so I can't complain."

Reed three-putted the second extra hole from the fringe and then missed an eight-foot birdie at the third playoff hole, his mood hardly helped when a spectator screamed "cheater" as his ball slid by the hole.

Reed has been in the spotlight since being hit with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie in a waste bunker during last month's Hero World Challenge in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-pounds-bahamas-inches-towards-florida-coast-247403">Bahamas</a>.

Schauffele, who had been on the verge of successfully defending his title, said: "I should have won it.

"I know it, everyone knows it. I should have closed it out and didn't.

"I kind of did everything I was supposed to until the last moment.

"I know I'm good enough to hang with the best. I just need to be a little smarter when the time is right and I would have closed it out."

Justin Thomas survived a "disaster" at the 72nd hole before beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way playoff at the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in windswept Hawaii on Sunday.

Justin Thomas survived a "disaster" at the 72nd hole before beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way playoff at the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in windswept Hawaii on Sunday. Thomas clinched victory with a three-foot birdie at the third extra hole, the par-five 18th, at the Kapalua Plantation course on Maui. Schauffele was eliminated at the first hole of sudden death while Reed fell two holes later as the 26-year-old Thomas earned his 12th PGA Tour victory. He had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead playing the final hole of regulation but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass. He made a bogey for a four-under-par 69, while Schauffele had a three-putt par, missing a seven-footer for the win, and carded 70. They fell into a playoff with Reed, who earlier shot 66, at 14-under 278. "For some reason I was supposed to win this week," Thomas said in a greenside interview after sinking his winning putt in semi-darkness. "I got very, very lucky to even have that putt. I got very fortunate, but I also stuck to my process and tried to stay positive. "Through 15 holes it was one of the best rounds I've ever played. I was in such control, tee to green, putting beautiful, my irons were awesome and then 18 was a disaster. It worked out so I can't complain." Reed three-putted the second extra hole from the fringe and then missed an eight-foot birdie at the third playoff hole, his mood hardly helped when a spectator screamed "cheater" as his ball slid by the hole. Reed has been in the spotlight since being hit with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie in a waste bunker during last month's Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Schauffele, who had been on the verge of successfully defending his title, said: "I should have won it. "I know it, everyone knows it. I should have closed it out and didn't. "I kind of did everything I was supposed to until the last moment. "I know I'm good enough to hang with the best. I just need to be a little smarter when the time is right and I would have closed it out."

Golf: Justin Thomas survives 'disaster' to win Tournament of Champions playoff

United States captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-moves-clear-as-woods-surges-in-bahamas-266577">Tiger Woods</a> has decided to sit out Saturday morning's fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup.

Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the United States in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler.

The US&nbsp;pair will face Australian Marc Leishman and China's Li Haotong, who has been handed his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/presidents-cup-internationals-stun-us-to-lead-presidents-cup-4-1-267935">Presidents Cup</a> debut by captain Ernie Els on the third day of the biennial competition.

Woods has decided to stick with the misfiring combination of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson, sending them out for a third time despite defeats in the first two days, to face Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Taiwan's CT Pan.

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, whose Friday win over Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann helped the United States hold the Internationals to a 6.5-3.5 lead, take on South Korea's Im Sung-jae and Abraham Ancer in an all-rookie match.

Tony Finau is back in the US&nbsp;line-up after being rested on Friday and will partner Matt Kuchar against Australian Adam Scott and An Byeong-hun of South Korea.

The pairings for Saturday afternoon's foursome matches have yet to be announced.

United States captain Tiger Woods has decided to sit out Saturday morning's fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup. Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the United States in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler.

United States captain Tiger Woods has decided to sit out Saturday morning's fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup. Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the United States in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler. The US pair will face Australian Marc Leishman and China's Li Haotong, who has been handed his Presidents Cup debut by captain Ernie Els on the third day of the biennial competition. Woods has decided to stick with the misfiring combination of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson, sending them out for a third time despite defeats in the first two days, to face Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Taiwan's CT Pan. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, whose Friday win over Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann helped the United States hold the Internationals to a 6.5-3.5 lead, take on South Korea's Im Sung-jae and Abraham Ancer in an all-rookie match. Tony Finau is back in the US line-up after being rested on Friday and will partner Matt Kuchar against Australian Adam Scott and An Byeong-hun of South Korea. The pairings for Saturday afternoon's foursome matches have yet to be announced.

Golf: Tiger Woods to sit out Saturday fourballs at Presidents Cup

Justin Thomas faltered in the final round at the BMW Championship on Sunday but held on for an ultimately comfortable three-stroke victory at Medinah in suburban Chicago.

He carded a closing four-under 68 to finish on a 25-under-par total of 263, while fellow American Patrick Cantlay shot a 65 for second place on 22-under.

Thomas started the day with a six-shot advantage but when he bogeyed the 10th hole, after almost hitting his second out of bounds, the lead over Cantlay was down to two.

But Thomas steadied with clutch play over the next three holes, twice holing putts of around 12 feet to re-establish his authority.

"Patrick made that very interesting," a relieved Thomas said.

"I hit the ball so bad to start the day. I made it hard on myself because usually I'm pretty good at hitting fairways and greens and I couldn't hit a fairway ... but I stayed patient and that birdie on 11 was huge.

"I was really nervous today. It's hard to play with the lead. I was enjoying it, though."

The victory was the 10th of his PGA Tour career but the first this year in what has been an injury-interrupted season. Thomas hurt his wrist in March and took six weeks off to rest.

"I'd forgotten how hard it was to win," said the 26-year-old former world number one.

"This game is so hard, you don't know how often things like this are going to happen.

"It's not like I've been playing bad. I would argue I've played just as well this year as any other year. It's a very humbling and tough game and I learned to respect it and be patient."

The result means Thomas is the number one seed at next week's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

The top 30 players on the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup points list qualified for the event, where the winner at East Lake will collect $15 million.

For the first time the tournament will use a staggered start based on players' position in the points race, with Thomas starting at 10-under-par.

The qualifiers ranked 26th to 30th will begin at even par.

Three players who started the BMW Championship outside the top 30 in the standings snuck into the Tour Championship -- Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Americans Lucas Glover and Jason Kokrak.

Matsuyama has never missed a Tour Championship since joining the tour in 2014.

Missing out was Ireland's British Open champion Shane Lowry, along with Americans Andrew Putnam and Harold Varner III.

There will be no defending champion at East Lake, as Tiger Woods did not qualify after finishing equal 37th on Sunday.

Justin Thomas faltered in the final round at the BMW Championship on Sunday but held on for an ultimately comfortable three-stroke victory at Medinah in suburban Chicago.

Justin Thomas faltered in the final round at the BMW Championship on Sunday but held on for an ultimately comfortable three-stroke victory at Medinah in suburban Chicago. He carded a closing four-under 68 to finish on a 25-under-par total of 263, while fellow American Patrick Cantlay shot a 65 for second place on 22-under. Thomas started the day with a six-shot advantage but when he bogeyed the 10th hole, after almost hitting his second out of bounds, the lead over Cantlay was down to two. But Thomas steadied with clutch play over the next three holes, twice holing putts of around 12 feet to re-establish his authority. "Patrick made that very interesting," a relieved Thomas said. "I hit the ball so bad to start the day. I made it hard on myself because usually I'm pretty good at hitting fairways and greens and I couldn't hit a fairway ... but I stayed patient and that birdie on 11 was huge. "I was really nervous today. It's hard to play with the lead. I was enjoying it, though." The victory was the 10th of his PGA Tour career but the first this year in what has been an injury-interrupted season. Thomas hurt his wrist in March and took six weeks off to rest. "I'd forgotten how hard it was to win," said the 26-year-old former world number one. "This game is so hard, you don't know how often things like this are going to happen. "It's not like I've been playing bad. I would argue I've played just as well this year as any other year. It's a very humbling and tough game and I learned to respect it and be patient." The result means Thomas is the number one seed at next week's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta. The top 30 players on the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup points list qualified for the event, where the winner at East Lake will collect $15 million. For the first time the tournament will use a staggered start based on players' position in the points race, with Thomas starting at 10-under-par. The qualifiers ranked 26th to 30th will begin at even par. Three players who started the BMW Championship outside the top 30 in the standings snuck into the Tour Championship -- Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Americans Lucas Glover and Jason Kokrak. Matsuyama has never missed a Tour Championship since joining the tour in 2014. Missing out was Ireland's British Open champion Shane Lowry, along with Americans Andrew Putnam and Harold Varner III. There will be no defending champion at East Lake, as Tiger Woods did not qualify after finishing equal 37th on Sunday.

Justin Thomas wins BMW Championship by three strokes over Cantlay

Five key moments in the 2018 Ryder Cup

Justin Thomas defeated Rory McIlroy 1-up in the opening singles match at the Ryder Cup on Sunday as the United States cut Europe's lead to one point -- 10.5 to 9.5.

A calamitous 18th hole for McIlroy saw the Northern Irishman find the bunker with his tee shot, as well as the water, as Thomas picked up his fourth point of the competition.

"Hopefully they'll look up there and see I got that point. You can feel it out here, just the American roars are a lot different, for a good reason, and I'm hoping to hear some more," said Thomas.

Paul Casey and Brooks Koepka halved the second match, while Webb Simpson beat Justin Rose 3 and 2 after carding six birdies to put away the Olympic champion on the Albatros course.

Tony Finau romped to a 6 and 4 win over fellow rookie Tommy Fleetwood, denying the Englishman the chance to become the first European to win five points from a possible five at the Ryder Cup.

Justin Thomas defeated Rory McIlroy 1-up in the opening singles match at the Ryder Cup on Sunday as the United States cut Europe's lead to one point -- 10.5 to 9.

Justin Thomas defeated Rory McIlroy 1-up in the opening singles match at the Ryder Cup on Sunday as the United States cut Europe's lead to one point -- 10.5 to 9.5. A calamitous 18th hole for McIlroy saw the Northern Irishman find the bunker with his tee shot, as well as the water, as Thomas picked up his fourth point of the competition. "Hopefully they'll look up there and see I got that point. You can feel it out here, just the American roars are a lot different, for a good reason, and I'm hoping to hear some more," said Thomas. Paul Casey and Brooks Koepka halved the second match, while Webb Simpson beat Justin Rose 3 and 2 after carding six birdies to put away the Olympic champion on the Albatros course. Tony Finau romped to a 6 and 4 win over fellow rookie Tommy Fleetwood, denying the Englishman the chance to become the first European to win five points from a possible five at the Ryder Cup.

Justin Thomas outduels McIlroy as US hit back at Ryder Cup

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