Blood Testing (Finally) Comes To The PGA Tour

Rex Hoggard explains for GolfChannel.com how the PGA Tour's new blood testing will impact the players and perceptions of the sport.

Hoggard says most players he spoke to felt the time had arrived for this more complete program, an amazing shift compared to a decade ago when Tim Finchem was resisting testing and players generally declared golfers clean and therefore not needing testing of any kind.

This was interesting:

“Why can’t we do hair samples, because then you can actually trace further back?” asked Casey, who is also an amateur cyclist. “There are certain drugs that are flushed out of the system within a day or two days, hair actually holds that drug in the follicle longer.”

Golf’s return to the Olympics last year will ensure the game remains vigilant when it comes to testing and officials haven’t ruled out new tests as the science and doping evolves. But for now, the circuit is content with the new testing methods.
“There is a lot of alternative testing methods, including hair, but the efficiency of these tests is really not at a level that would warrant use in a sport anti-doping program at this time,” Levinson said. “Urine is the most effective method of detecting most of the substances we are looking for.”

Comments

[Pat(another one)]

Means they must be content with the fact they can still keep it under wraps, and decide for themselves if it's too big a star to punish, or if it's someone who can be a sacrificial lamb to keep up the impression they are "fighting for clean sport."

[Drew Scott]

Now I see why Tiger "could see himself never playing again ... "

[Jupiter]

@DrewScott... you've got it figured out. I always wondered about his year away from the game as the tour ramped up it's testing. Back then it wasn't pot and pain killers but it seemed to be tied to his relationship with Dr Galea. We can all form our own conclusions as to why he chose to deal with an unlicensed Canadian Dr that ended up being busted by the Fed's. My conclusion is that he was a cheater in all aspects of his life not just with his wife and family.

I miss the excitement of watching him compete but I believe that the game is better off without him.

[munihack]

As the pro game relies more and more on power this could be an issue going forward. Players like Rory and Sneds have had rib issues and "healing" may now take longer. And of course there is always the back issues to address for so many. If the governing bodies refuse to address the power inbalance in the sport maybe testing will. Many in the game seem to be reaching the limit of what the body can physically withstand. By restricting their meds the sport will find a different balance between power and shotmaking.

[Confused]

I think a bunch of the guys are doing it Jupiter ... so hopefully they'll all get busted.

[FC]

Only after each tee shot of 340 or more.

[DrBunsenHoneydew]

So, where do I get the wonder drug which gives pros their amazing short games?.... wait... there isn't one? Damn, guess this is all just a massive waste of time that could potentially cast an undo shadow over someone's career.

[Johnnnycz]

I've tried enough to have an opinion on this....there is no magic chemically altered state that will make you play better. Nothing...zip...nada.

[Easingwold]

But does it help some hit it further ? The longest hitters dominate the game today so it's a valid question.

[Jupiter]

I guess someone (Dr Dew? Johnnnycz?) needs to tell MLB that there's no benefit to steroid or PED use. It seems that they frown on all the home runs that the juicers hit back in the day. Most be something to it I guess???

Faster recovery from injuries? Body comes back more quickly after hard workouts? Enhanced hand-eye coordination? Simply put more usable brute strength? No I guess not. Athletes that chose to cheat and use these thinking that they'll be a little faster or stronger or better than the competition must be risking their health for the trill of cheating while the supplements do nothing for them. Wow.. I never considered that angle. Nor am I now.