SHANGHAI — Tiger Woods said yesterday it was unfortunate that the PGA’s Doug Barron had tested positive for drugs, but applauded the policy that caught him.
Barron, an American with only one PGA start in three years, was given a one-year ban on Monday by the US PGA Tour — the sport’s first suspension for performance- enhancing substances.
The PGA, which instituted its anti-doping policy last July, imposed the penalty at once.
“I just heard about it today,” said Woods, who is in Shanghai for the WGC-HSBC Champions.
“Unfortunate, but that’s also one of the reasons why we have the policy, to make sure that no one does anything that’s improper for the game of golf, and it’s great that we have the policy in place.”
It was not revealed which substance Barron had taken.
Barron’s best career finish in a PGA event was third in the 2005 Byron Nelson Championship.
“I would like to apologise for any negative perception of the tour or its players resulting from my suspension,” Barron said. “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.”
Meanwhile, Woods and Phil Mickelson might be at the WGC- HSBC Champions this week but a host of other Americans who qualified have not taken up the offer.
USPGA Tour players are renowned for not travelling overseas out of their comfort zone, unlike many of their European Tour counterparts.
Despite 7m being at stake in Shanghai this week and the tournament being upgraded to a World Golf Championship event, the thought of flying to China has proved too much for some.
All winners from the PGA Tour’s 23 events this year were eligible, along with the top five not exempt from the FedEx points race. Yet only nine will tee off.
Steve Stricker, Kenny Perry, Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk and Scott Verplank, as well as US Open winner Lucas Glover, all opted to stay home.
Bucking the trend are Woods, Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Sean O’Hair, Steve Marino, Nick Watney and Brian Gay.
In sharp contrast, every European Tour player eligible is in Shanghai.
Woods was diplomatic when asked to comment by AFP.
“I think everyone has their own playing schedule. A lot of guys have opted not to come but are playing the Fall Series. That has a lot to do with it,” he said.