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Jan 10th, 2021
Palmer and Harris lead Tournament of Champions
As Thomas finds himself in hot water
Words: GolfPunk Photography: Getty Images/PGA Tour
As the low scoring continued at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Saturday Ryan Palmer, shot the lights out with a nine-under 64 to join Harris English at the top of the leaderboard.
Palmer started the day two back from overnight leader English and despite three birdies on the front nine he had not eaten into Harris's lead. However, the American came alive on the back nine with six birdies, five of them in a row from the 12th tee.
English produced another excellent display with seven birdies of his own in his flawless round of 66. The man from Georgia has had only one bogey in his opening fifty-four holes.
Fellow American Collin Morikawa sits just one shot back from the leader after carding an eight-under 65 two shots ahead of Daniel Berger who has sole ownership of fourth place.
World number three Justin Thomas sits in fifth alongside Sungjae Im of South Korea but made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Thomas muttered a homophobic slur under his breath after missing a short putt at the fourth hole, which sadly was picked up by a greenside mic. Had it been normal times the crowd noise may have prevented the mic from picking up what Thomas said but these are not normal times.
"It's inexcusable. I, first off, I just apologize," said Thomas.
"I mean, there's no excuse. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man; there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that."
Despite his apology, it is almost certain that Thomas will face a fine from the PGA Tour for the homophobic slur which began with an F.
Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson could only find a four-under 69 on moving day and now sits seven back from the leader alongside Spaniards Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia and Xander Schauffele of America on 14-under-par.
Palmer started the day two back from overnight leader English and despite three birdies on the front nine he had not eaten into Harris's lead. However, the American came alive on the back nine with six birdies, five of them in a row from the 12th tee.
English produced another excellent display with seven birdies of his own in his flawless round of 66. The man from Georgia has had only one bogey in his opening fifty-four holes.
Fellow American Collin Morikawa sits just one shot back from the leader after carding an eight-under 65 two shots ahead of Daniel Berger who has sole ownership of fourth place.
World number three Justin Thomas sits in fifth alongside Sungjae Im of South Korea but made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Thomas muttered a homophobic slur under his breath after missing a short putt at the fourth hole, which sadly was picked up by a greenside mic. Had it been normal times the crowd noise may have prevented the mic from picking up what Thomas said but these are not normal times.
"It's inexcusable. I, first off, I just apologize," said Thomas.
"I mean, there's no excuse. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man; there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that."
Despite his apology, it is almost certain that Thomas will face a fine from the PGA Tour for the homophobic slur which began with an F.
Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson could only find a four-under 69 on moving day and now sits seven back from the leader alongside Spaniards Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia and Xander Schauffele of America on 14-under-par.