Tour News
PGA Tour to begin blood testing for PEDs in 2017-2018 season
The PGA Tour will begin blood testing for PEDs for 2017-2018 season
In addition to adding blood testing to its anti-doping efforts, the PGA Tour will also report drug suspensions next season, the Policy Board has confirmed.
The Tour will also square its list of banned substance with the World Anti-Doping Association’s Prohibited List of Substances and Methods.
Critics of the Tour’s policy have called for all of the above.
Blood testing will allow the Tour to screen for human growth hormone, which can’t be detected through the present urine tests.
Additionally, the Tour will amend its present policy of announcing player suspension for performance-enhancing drugs to include suspensions for all drugs (e.g. recreational).
“While we are extremely pleased with the implementation and results of the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Program to date, we believe that these changes to our program are prudent in that they further our objectives of protecting the well-being of our members and better substantiate the integrity of golf as a clean sport,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.
To ensure players are up to date with the changes, the Tour is beginning a comprehensive education program about the new testing and expanded Prohibited List.
The Tour will continue its Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to allow players with established conditions to use otherwise banned substance if medically necessary.
The Tour established its Anti-Doping Program in 2008.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Frankie
Jun 23, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Are LSD and shrooms still allowed on Tour?
E
Jun 24, 2017 at 3:21 am
Those aren’t performance-enhancing, they’re comedy-inducing, so yes, they are permitted lol
setter02
Jun 22, 2017 at 11:59 pm
I’m sure they will get right on this stuff like they care about slow play…
Barry
Jun 22, 2017 at 11:33 am
How will this affect the Matt Every’s of the world? Will their games take a hit if they can’t smoke any more left-handed cigarettes before their rounds?
Matt
Jun 23, 2017 at 12:24 am
Well, if it comes from the earth it shouldn’t be on a banned substances list 😉
SH
Jun 24, 2017 at 1:56 pm
As opposed to things that come from Space on a meteor? Duh
Matt
Jun 22, 2017 at 2:36 am
I don’t see the use of PED’s and HGH benefitting golfers. Finesse games like golf, archery, bowls, etc are entirely different to intense endurance, ball, and contact sports. Can imagine beta blockers like Propranadol would be in use for golf however.
Was
Jun 23, 2017 at 10:00 am
Try walking 36 holes and also hit a few buckets of balls in one day. And try to see if you can play 5 rounds of golf in a week back to back all walking and shoot at least Par or better on all those days and tell us how you feel about it then. You’re allowed to use a caddy, if you want. And on any of those days you felt like you felt some pain or fatigue and decided to use any meds or something else to help you, consider that there may be some things out there in the world that may help you carry you thru that without any of the pain or fatigue.
Bob Pegram
Jun 21, 2017 at 11:10 pm
What does PED stand for?
How can they test for HGH (human growth hormone) when it it is naturally produced by the body? That doesn’t make sense. Would they test for excessive amounts in the blood or what? People who age more slowly keep producing it way longer than those who age quickly. It is partly hereditary and also affected by how much exercise a person has done over the years, by diet, etc. Especially in older people there is a wide variance.
SH
Jun 22, 2017 at 3:41 am
https://www.wada-ama.org
Joe Doaks
Jun 21, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Jim and Ders are spot on. PEDs aid greatly in recovery. HGH has been used on the PGA Tour for several years. A number of players from the PGA Tour and the Web.com Tour trained in the same gym I trained in for several years. It is not always the young bulked up guys doing PEDs, it is sometimes the guys further down the money list and older that are looking for any edge to be competitive.
Bishop
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:29 pm
One of the items I didn’t see on the list: Deer Antler Velvet. Isn’t that what Vijay was taking to get him his suspension?
carl spackler
Jun 21, 2017 at 2:44 pm
looking at the list, adderall is not banned? by far the most used drug on tour
Tom54
Jun 21, 2017 at 9:32 am
I agree with everything said but just want to add one thing. I hope the PGA tour never has to worry about its reputation with worrying about any player deserving of an asterisk if they are found to be using pens. That would be a damaging blow to all. I hope for the best though
Rich
Jun 21, 2017 at 9:03 am
Glad to see that the Tour is going to be transparent.Rory didn’t just buff up from lifting weights and the same said of Tiger.These things have already shown not to be that much of a plus in golf other than endurance.It will sell tight fitting shirts . But too dense tissue can be restricting causing injury from tightness and movement loss and pain as a result. Drug use is everywhere so why would we think it’s not on the tour ? Produce the names and this will change the game .No product manufacture
wants their product attached to a player using PED’s or Drugs.
Rich
Jun 21, 2017 at 9:12 am
Just to clear the statement a little, I’m not saying that Rory or Tiger have used PED’s but the appearance of gaining mass could let some think that one has used some substance whether legal or not.
Beefhouse
Jun 21, 2017 at 11:10 am
Of course they use supplements. Every golfer on tour will use them, to some extent.. even if it’s just an energy drink. As with cycling, athletics etc. it’s all about knowing what side of the line you’re on and staying comfortably on that side.
Let’s get one thing clear… in the wider world, neither Rory or Tiger are massive. They are an athletic build, having shifted some iron. There is of course plenty of separate evidence to suggest that Tiger takes all sorts, but nothing for Rory other than he looks fitter than he did when he was on a diet of cheeseburgers and couldn’t squat!
Americans Ruin Everything by Talking
Jun 21, 2017 at 11:00 am
Rory is NOT buff. All photos of him without a shirt shows that he’s actually built normally, it’s the tight shirts he wears from Nike designed to make him look like that, but he is actually not buff, unlike someone like Jason Day. Edlrick is, however.
Chris B
Jun 21, 2017 at 2:49 am
About time! Will any of the stats change?
Beefhouse
Jun 21, 2017 at 10:58 am
Not when the clubs are on drugs!! Lol lol Callaway.
Chris B
Jun 22, 2017 at 1:58 am
And the ball
Was
Jun 21, 2017 at 2:33 am
Well, that’ll shut the door on Eldrick’s career, then, eh?
chuck
Jun 20, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Tcann32 knows his stuff.. the first 2 comments are from some serious amateurs.. like I WILL NOT reply to you guys.
Adam
Jun 20, 2017 at 6:17 pm
This was necessary. However, there has to be some element of surprise as to when tests will be administered.
I’m guessing 30% of pros use PED’s. Let’s see who suffers under the new policy.
ooffa
Jun 20, 2017 at 4:25 pm
The steroids took Tigers career. Rory is heading down the same path. If this helps keep these guys off of the PED’s it will be better for all of them.
Beefhouse
Jun 21, 2017 at 10:57 am
It is a pretty lazy assumption to make that because someone lifts weights, they take steroids…
Jack Nash
Jun 21, 2017 at 12:06 pm
It’s not an assumption when it’s been proven by surgeons that the first things to go from PED use are the joints, eg knees, because a persons anatomy, or bone structure is limited to a certain amount of muscle. Once that threshold is past the joints suffer greatly.
TR1PTIK
Jun 21, 2017 at 1:27 pm
Yes, because Tiger and Rory are so “jacked” that they’ve reached this limit. LOL
CCShop
Jun 21, 2017 at 9:27 pm
Yep. Guess it wasn’t the Navy Seal training or the 5-10 mile runs every morning in combat boots. His military workout obsession and injuries from that did him in.
AB
Jun 22, 2017 at 1:48 am
Keeps drinking the tiger kool aids
Tcann32
Jun 20, 2017 at 3:51 pm
The amount of worry behind this still doesn’t make any sense to me.. You don’t even have to be that strong to hit the ball far, and no drugs are going to help you achieve consistency and shot placement. The lowest score in PGA tour history was shot by a man that’s clearly not on any drugs. The argument of having more energy through and till the end of the round is hardly even valid either, as at the end of the day, the game just doesn’t require that much physical fitness. A few guys get into shape compared to the golfers of the past and everyone thinks PED’s are rampant.
That being said, if people are cheating, then they deserve to get caught, and I’m all for that.
Was
Jun 21, 2017 at 2:33 am
Stamina, though. Some of that stuff can make you stay energized longer
Beefhoues
Jun 21, 2017 at 4:40 am
I agree, PEDs in golf don’t really make much sense. Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson both have arms like pipe cleaners yet they rip it out of sight.
Tiger aside, I would be v surprised if any of the top players are juicing during the season. Rory and JDay just have typical gym bods that can be achieved by lifting heavy and eating more. However, in the bodybuilding/powerlifting/rugby communities, it’s often those persons who are lagging behind and desperate that get to the top that turn to PEDs.
Jim
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:57 am
It’s not about being strong, it’s about showing up Sunday and feeling brand new and less fatigued by a mile than the guy all natural. Steroids go far behoind just raw strength.
Adam Crawford
Jun 21, 2017 at 10:23 am
Bingo.
Ders
Jun 21, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Yup. If its a sport you can injure yourself at, its a sport in which you can benefit from steroids and HGH.