VIJAY, ANGRY WITH HIMSELF, FACES US PGA TOUR SUSPENSION

FROM THE BBC SPORT.COM WEBSITE  

By Iain Carter BBC golf correspondent

Former world number one Vijay Singh says he is angry with himself after admitting using a substance banned by golf's anti-drug abuse rules.

An online article by the American magazine Sports Illustrated detailed use of "Deer Antler Spray" by Singh.
The Fijian is now facing a suspension.
In a statement, he said: "I am absolutely shocked that deer antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position."
According to Section One of the US PGA Tour's Anti-Doping Program Manual, a player is strictly liable whenever a prohibited substance is in his body, regardless of the circumstances.

What is "Deer Antler Spray"?

• The spray, being sold by SWATS. (Sports With Alternatives to Steroids), is harvested from the antlers of New Zealand deer.
• Deer antler spray and pills are thought to contain small amounts of deer IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) - a growth hormone.
• Scientific research has shown that velvet deer antler improves heart strength, stamina, joint health, muscle and strength development plus athletic performance.
• Christopher Key of SWATS was quoted in the SI article saying: "The antlers are the fastest-growing substance on planet Earth... because of the high concentration of IGF-1. We've been able to freeze dry that out, extract it, put it in a sublingual spray that you shake for 20 seconds and then spray three [times] under your tongue. This stuff has been around for almost 1,000 years."

Deer Antler Spray is manufactured by the controversial company Sports with Alternatives to Steroids (SWATS).

In promotional material the firm claims the substance contains IGF-1, a natural anabolic hormone that stimulates muscle growth.
IGF-1 is on golf's banned list.
The sport's drugs policy is in line with the code set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
In the SI article Singh, 49, was quoted saying he used the product "every couple of hours... every day."
His statement continued: "While I have used deer antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour anti-doping policy.
"In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances.
"I have been in contact with the PGA Tour and am co-operating fully with their review of this matter. I will not be commenting further at this time."
Former Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia ended his promotional link with the product after being warned by the Tour in 2011.
Singh may now be liable to a suspension from pro golf. Since drug testing was introduced in golf in 2008 only one player has been banned for violating the code.
American journeyman pro Doug Barron received a one-year suspension after failing a drugs test at the St Jude Classic in 2009.
Barron was taking Lyrica as a substitute for propranolol, a banned substance and exogenous testosterone, which he received by an injection from a doctor.
He had been prescribed propranolol since the age 17 but an earlier attempt to gain a medical exemption had been denied by the Tour.
Singh spent 32 weeks as world number one between 2004 and 2005, won the Masters in 2000 and the 1998 and 2004 PGA Championship.
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Singh, 49, is reportedly under investigation by Professional Golfers' Association officials after admitting using "Deer Antler Spray" containing a banned substance, IGF-1.
The Fijian, who said he would co-operate with the US PGA, could face a worldwide suspension from competition.
Singh was 27th in last week's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and, in his only other start this season, was 20th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The first, and so far only, golfer to face a ban since testing started in 2008 was American Doug Barron, who was banned in 2009 after taking the substance Lyrica, which contains testosterone.
Barron was given a one-year suspension after failing a drugs test at the St Jude Classic in 2009. He said the substance was given to him by a doctor.
Promotional material for Deer Antler Spray claims it contains IGF-1, a natural, anabolic hormone that stimulates muscle growth.