Drug Testing on the PGA Tour

[golfer]

What type of performance enhancing substance would help a golfer?

PGA Chief: Drug tests are near

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By HANK GOLA

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, June 21st 2007, 4:00 AM


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When it comes to steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, the PGA Tour has been moving as slowly as a 30-foot uphill putt. But commissioner Tim Finchem yesterday indicated that a rule should be in place by the end of the year, with testing to follow.

Finchem, speaking at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., told reporters, "It's unfortunate that these realities are with us, but they are and we have to deal with them, and I think it's important that golf deal with them collectively."

Finchem has always had the power to impose drug testing at his discretion but has said he has seen no evidence of steroid use among Tour players. Then, last fall, after the LPGA - with the endorsement of its most high-profile player, Annika Sorenstam - announced it would begin drug testing in 2008, the PGA Tour said its Policy Board would develop a list of banned substances. That board, which includes players, last met in May and will meet again in September. There is still no list. Yesterday, Finchem said, "I suspect we'll be done with that certainly this year."

"Golf needs to move together on a global basis," Finchem added. "In Europe, in particular, and in certain other areas of the world, the idea of testing in athletics is just a reality, because it's government-required."

In fact, the European Tour already has drug testing on a voluntary basis and the R&A, the worldwide equivalent of the USGA, began testing last October at the World Amateur Team Championships.

Most PGA Tour players shrug when the issue is brought up, although Tiger Woods, among the most buff players and longest hitters, said last November he would be the first volunteer when the vials are brought out. Asked when testing should begin, Woods said, "tomorrow would be fine with me.

"I think we should be proactive instead of reactive," he said. "I just think we should be ahead of it and keep our sport as pure as can be. This is a great sport, and it's always been clean."

"It's just another way to protect the integrity of our game," Policy Board member Joe Durant said. "I don't think any of that is going on out here, but you just can't assume."

But Scott McCarron, another Policy Board member, said last fall that the Tour should take a more cautious approach. "We have to be careful - who does the testing, and for what?" he said. "We don't want to jump in there and look like the Tour de France."