Pro goes logo-less at Players Championship after Instagram controversy

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Scott Piercy has been a noteworthy name in the golf world recently for all the wrong reasons. The two-time PGA Tour winner has ridden a mountain of bad press since posting a pair of insensitive and homophobic Instagram stories last week — from social media outrage to condemnation by the Tour.

“We were made aware of Scott’s post and are disappointed in the lack of judgment used,” the PGA Tour said in a statement shortly after his posts were made public.

Now, he’s looking the part of a man who’s been through the public ringer. Piercy played his practice round at the Players Wednesday in unusual garb for a PGA Tour golfer: brand-less.

Two of Piercy’s primary sponsors, Acushnet (the parent company for Titleist and FootJoy) and J. Lindeberg, terminated their contracts with the 41-year-old in the aftermath of the controversy.

“We, J.Lindeberg, as a company do not stand by the statements made by Piercy and we want to make sure our customers, employees, and other ambassadors know we support all communities and have no room for hate or discrimination in our company,” the company said in a statement announcing its decision to drop Piercy.

On Tuesday, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan offered the sharpest criticism of Piercy from the professional ranks.

“My reaction was one of significant disappointment,” Monahan said in a press conference. “You know, that post does not convey the values that we have as a Tour, and certainly doesn’t convey our interest in making certain that golf is inclusive for all, an inclusive sport for all, and the fact of the matter is that what — that post itself is a violation of our policy.”

Monahan declined to offer specifics as to any disciplinary measures being pursued against Piercy, who apologized for his posts last week in a follow-up Instagram story.

“Whenever i [sic] post my intent is NEVER to offend,” Piercy said. “I want to apologize if any of my recents [sic] story posts have been offensive. I will do better!”

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