Popular Searches:

  1. UFC 106
  2. Tito Ortiz
  3. FIFA
  4. NFL Preview
  5. Allen Iverson

Golf-American Barron banned for doping by PGA Tour

Nov 2, 8:21 pm EST

  • Print

* Barron becomes first golfer to receive doping ban

* Issues apology to Tour and his peers (Adds background)

MIAMI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - American journeyman Doug Barron achieved unwanted fame on Monday when he became the first golfer to receive a ban for taking a performance-enhancing drug.

In a statement the PGA Tour said Barron, 40, had been suspended for a year for violating its anti-doping policy. It did not name the drug.

“I would like to apologise for any negative perception of the Tour or its players resulting from my suspension,” Barron was quoted as saying by the Tour.

“I want my fellow Tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on Tour.”

Barron, who turned professional in 1992, has played eight full seasons on the PGA Tour, most recently in 2006. His best finish was a tie for third at the 2005 Bryon Nelson Championship.

Since then, he has competed mainly on the satellite Nationwide Tour where he has twice finished second but is yet to win a title.

In the PGA Tour’s media guide, Barron lists his biggest thrill in golf as being paired with former world number one Fred Couples and fellow American Craig Stadler for the final round of his first event on the 1997 PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour launched its anti-doping programme in July last year and said, in the event of a positive doping test, it would disclose details only after the entire appeals and challenges process was completed.

The variety of sanctions could include disqualification, a one-year suspension for a first violation, up to five years for a second violation and a lifetime ban for multiple violations, plus fines up to $500,000.

The National Center for Drug Free Sport administers testing on the PGA Tour virtually every week of the season with all samples analysed by WADA-accredited laboratories.

World Anti-Doping Agency officials were not available for comment late on Monday.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Alastair Himmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf '09
Updated Nov 2, 8:21 pm EST
digg del.icio.us
more
Golf

17 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Howard M
    17. Posted by Howard M Tue Nov 3 1:12pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Once Again who really give a flying crap
  2. <i>jdubb3505</i>
    16. Posted by jdubb3505 Tue Nov 3 12:04pm EST

    Report Abuse

    First of all this post was not about tiger! Any time one of you white boys cant figure how tiger is winning so much you try to find something wrong instead of giving the man his DO!!! I dont care if he picked up 30 lbs it still cant make him hit the ball close to pin you still have to have skill dumba$$ . Just like barry bonds he may have taken drugs or maybe not i dont know it dont help you hit the fastball!!! morons
  3. <i>cwebbie</i>
    15. Posted by cwebbie Tue Nov 3 12:03pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I don't know if beta blockers are on the banned list, but a lot of guys use them on tour to keep their heart rates down under pressure. They make a big difference just playing 50-50-50 so I know the pressure playing for PGA money would be way intense.

    Nevertheless, judging from his comments, chances are it's recreational.
  4. Jerry
    14. Posted by Jerry Tue Nov 3 11:56am EST

    Report Abuse

    Maybe Paul #11 and 12 you can explain since your one of those jag offs that thinks he knows everything that how a steroid or HGH or anything like that can help your golf game? and can you do so without filling this thread up with horse dung....I doubt it! how can a PHD help you putt? Tiger isn't even the longest hitter on tour plus to score you need to have finesse and touch which completely contradicts PHD's---so getting all yoked up in golf isn't going to matter period, actually Tiger when he was a skinny kid when he came out hit it further then he does now....this is a non issue...lets test Paul for having a brain, first place to look is your a$$ you piece of shi$!!
  5. Wayne M
    13. Posted by Wayne M Tue Nov 3 8:52am EST

    Report Abuse

    One person has Tiger gaining 25 pound in one year, another in just four months. In boths cases, their 'FACTS' are actually their wild speculation. How about a little something in the way of proof? Oh, I know, you are all doctors with a sports medicine concentration and a three handicap to boot. Please enlighten everyone on the benefits of steroids in golf. The snappy comment of 'you're an idiot' just won't cut it on this one.
  6. paul
    12. Posted by paul Tue Nov 3 1:21am EST

    Report Abuse

    According to ALL the experts , NOBODY can put on 25 pounds of muscle from lifting weights in four months as Tiger did...

    Did you note after it was an " issue", his weight dropped back down and muscle mass was gone...

    Tiger is a world ICON - yet i really wonder why no big name (because Tiger would never talk to you again) said somthing about it ?

    i love Tiger but the 25 pounds of muscle is NOT POSSIBLE without illegal help...FACTS
  7. paul
    11. Posted by paul Tue Nov 3 1:16am EST

    Report Abuse

    It sure isn;t a DIET pill as he is a fat lard...and it surely wasn't working...
    Test Tiger - then again CREATINE is not on the banned list - not yet...
  8. Joltin Joe
    10. Posted by Joltin Joe Tue Nov 3 12:03am EST

    Report Abuse

    Is vitamin C a performance enhancing drug? How about aspirin for a headache? A heart condition? Hay fever medicine? The pill for women? Cialis? Juice Plus? What's it all about, Alfie? What was it? Who knows?

    Golf is a game of man against nature. Who can beat nature the best on any given Sunday, that is what professional golf has become. But I play on Tuesday too. Questions, questions, questions.
  9. BIJOUXNOIRE
    9. Posted by BIJOUXNOIRE Mon Nov 2 8:51pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Pardon me, that's Matthew, not Mark...
  10. BIJOUXNOIRE
    8. Posted by BIJOUXNOIRE Mon Nov 2 8:50pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Mark,

    The 'MAN' Tiger Woods has been tested and has stated so openly. Some of us are blessed with an intense work ethic, God given talents, and the talent and drive to WORK at what we want. You, I feel certain are not. If he tested positive, YOU and the rest of the people LIKE YOU would be the first to GLOAT, and trust me, the WORLD would know. There's nothing so sweet to the "LITTLE", and "BITTER" than to see the mighty fall....


    Keep hope alive.....

    Rock on Tiger, rock on.............. and keep doing your charitable deeds for the kids........
  11. Matthew P
    7. Posted by Matthew P Mon Nov 2 8:37pm EST

    Report Abuse

    #2..... If you ran your hand across a pro SW, 60 degree, PW... you'd cut your hand wide open on the razor filed grooves.... they totally play with different equipment than what is on the market, don't be a fool..... Even more than you think.
  12. Matthew P
    6. Posted by Matthew P Mon Nov 2 8:34pm EST

    Report Abuse

    What did he take?....Some fat gaining drug that makes you shoot in the 80's? Get real... start testing the big boys.... Tiger, ect. Tiger put on 25 pounds of muscle in one year. Natural?.. yeah, right.
  13. Relax
    5. Posted by Relax Mon Nov 2 8:19pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Yeah #4, Jeez, the guy doesn't exactly look like the "Performance Enhancing" figure you'd expect.
    Maybe it was the marijuana test, would explain the pudgy physique. Too many munchie sessions
    at the 19th hole.
    Best finish, 3rd in 2005. What ever it was he was caught for isn't working.
  14. Gary
    4. Posted by Gary Mon Nov 2 7:43pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Holy crap, look at the guy. I could understand if he was even a little bit muscular, but uhhh, c'mon. Apparently, what he was tested for isn't working. A frikkin' 10 year old could see that.

    That's like banning snowboarders for marijuana. That's hardly performance enhancing either.
  15. Ron H
    3. Posted by Ron H Mon Nov 2 7:36pm EST

    Report Abuse

    The problem in golf is that the balls & equipment keep getting better, but then classic courses
    have to change also, or become too easy for the world's best players.
  16. Lakers R back
    2. Posted by Lakers R back Mon Nov 2 6:44pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Uh... they do, They have restriction on non conforming Balls, drvers, Irons and now the grooves on wedges. The eguipment is more advanced that is was 40 years ago but so is the equipment in every other sport. Look at a football film from 1960 notice any equipment difference? Domes in statiums is an advantage. I mean you cant knock technology, thats like saying a business man is not as good as they once were cause the old generation didnt have internet, cell phones, PDA's.... All the Nascar cars are more suped up than they were before. But if they all play with the same available equipment it is a level playing field, when they Dope, its not. Simple as that.
  17. John M
    1. Posted by John M Mon Nov 2 6:35pm EST

    Report Abuse

    gimme a break, all the current equipment is on steroids, the tour should ban that.
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

MORE SPORTS NEWS

Reuters

Video Spotlight

More Videos »

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.