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via Reuters

via Reuters

The mic’d-up feature has put Justin Thomas in hot water once again. This feature at PGA Tour events aimed at entertaining the fans watching from around the world has certainly not worked for the 30-year-old at all. The last time it caught Thomas speaking, he lost a sponsor. This time, the golf world is filled with mixed reactions. But the overwhelming response to Thomas’ way of showing displeasure at Pebble Beach? It was quite appalling, so much so that a fan called him a “total d**k.” So, what transpired?

After the third round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Justin Thomas finished at T6 with thirteen under 203. Before his top-10 finish, the six-time PGA Tour winner missed a birdie putt at one hole. He was understandably irritated when his ball stopped just a few inches shy of the hole. And in the heat of the moment, Thomas uttered three words that stuck. And unfortunately for him, those watching weren’t pleased.

“Jesus f*****g Christ,” cursed Justin Thomas. He then putted the hole and went on his way. The series of events was captured by a fan and shared on X. When NUCLR Golf reshared the video, captioning it, “Justin Thomas HOT mic,” his words caused an online stir, inciting the golf world in anger. Just like they did in 2021. Remember how the two-time major champion lost his Ralph Lauren sponsorship?

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This was not the first time Thomas had been criticized for his mic’d-up statements. A similar incident occurred in 2021 while he was playing at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. After missing a putt, the 30-year-old uttered a homophobic slur in a fit of anger. While he profusely apologized for what he said, calling it “inexcusable,” Ralph Lauren considered his actions just that: inexcusable. Within a few days, Thomas lost one of his biggest sponsors.

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Now that his Pebble Beach outburst has gone viral, it has garnered immense disapproval from golf fans and netizens alike, just like his actions did three years ago.

Is Justin Thomas a hot mic legend or “classless”?

Golf is a sport that’s often referred to as a ‘gentleman’s game.’ That’s primarily because of its history and the fact that it has its own rules of etiquette. And what Justin Thomas did didn’t sit well with the followers of the sport. So, as the golf community directed their disapproval at him, one of the first things a fan called Thomas was “Classless.” 

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Recalling his 2021 controversy, a follower still holds a grudge against the golfer. They wrote, “Once a jerk, always a jerk.” Another user was so upset that they wished Thomas never to win again, subsequently calling him “irrelevant.” “I hope this guy NEVER wins again. Doesn’t put in the work. And a TOTAL D**K @JustinThomas34 #IRRELEVANT.” That’s not all.

Apart from receiving criticism, Thomas seems to have lost the respect of fans as well. “I used to have respect; he lost that. What an awful thing to say!” wrote one. Another simply stated, “This way I am not a fan of him.” However, one user looked at the bright side of this particular outburst. “Better than the last f-word he got caught saying. Progress! Well done, JT! #learningfrommistakes.”

Amidst all the angry remarks, Thomas’ comment amazed a few. One wrote, “No one is better on the hot mic than JT,” while another appreciated the mic’d-up setup. They wrote, “I’m all for hot mics; I need more of this content, honestly.” The mic’d clips aren’t just a PGA Tour feature; LIV Golf players have also been reprimanded when their profanity-laden clips go around the internet. In light of this, a fan joked, “Welcome to LIV, brother.”

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Justin Thomas is no stranger to controversies. The three-word statement by JT has disappointed some fans on the internet. Will it have a similar consequence to 2021, or will the golf world forgive Thomas? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

Read More: Justin Thomas Accuses Greg Norman of Exaggerating LIV Golf Success; Mocks Him With Savage 4-Word Dig