As Justin Thomas secured his eighth victory on the Tour, he also kicked his first golfing fan out of an event. During the closing stretch in the final round at the Honda Classic, Justin Thomas had a spectator removed from the gallery after they shouted toward him “get in the bunker”. The heckler had been following Thomas and providing negative cheer against him before Thomas called it enough. JT turned to the crowd and called “who said that?”, before having the fan kicked out, saying “enjoy your day buddy, you’re gone.” You can view the video here.
This came only a week after Thomas complained that fans were too rowdy at the Genesis Open.
“Just because you’re standing behind the ropes doesn’t mean that you can — I don’t care how much I dislike somebody, I’m never going to wish that kind of stuff upon them. I felt it was inappropriate, so he had to go home.”
But following backlash from the incident, Thomas has made an apology over Twitter.
GOLF GODS AMP CADDY – GET SOME BEATS ON COURSE!
Getting a lot of comments on the fan incident yesterday.. sorry to any and all offended by it. There was more said as we walked to the tee wishing bad things on the course for myself or Luke. Then the get in the bunker comment over and over again I felt…
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 26, 2018
…it was very understandable to have him escorted out. I never want to lose fans, or have people root against me. I just didn’t see a place for that particular person to be yelling at us things that weren’t necessary over and over again. I over reacted…
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 26, 2018
..and should not have had him kicked out. I feel bad for it, but was more doing so because again I felt the stuff he was saying was completely unnecessary. I love all my fans and to hear that I’ve lost quite a few bc of that, isn’t fun. So I’m sorry to all!
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 26, 2018
…the fans are who support us all on TOUR and we are extremely lucky to have them each and every week. Thanks to all who came out and supported at @TheHondaClassic and continue to every week we play. We (I) love you guys
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 26, 2018
And in case you missed it, Thomas let out a little “FUCK YEAH” with his win on Sunday…
What are your thoughts? Is Thomas within his rights to kick fans out, or let the gallery be?
