No drug testing at British Open

2008-04-29

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By Mark Garrod Special to PA SportsTicker

SOUTHPORT, England (Ticker) -- The British Open at Royal Birkdale this summer will not be the first major championship in history to test players for drugs.

Despite the formation of an anti-doping policy adopted by theprofessional game late last year and the anticipated start oftesting on the American and European tours in July, the Royaland Ancient Club have decided that their event will not beincluded this time.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson, one of the driving forcesbehind the introduction of drug-testing in the sport, admittedon Tuesday that the delay was "slightly unsatisfactory," citingthe Open''s global qualifying system as the main reason.

Qualifying events have already taken place in Asia, South Africaand Australia and the players at those events have not had thesame drug education program open to those in Europe and America.

"We played a leading role in the development of a policy ofwhich we are very proud," Dawson said. "But it is veryimportant that players understand what it is about and giventhat quite a number of players do not play on the PGA orEuropean Tours we decided that it will not start at the Openthis year.

"But we very much hope and intend to start next year. If theOpen was in October we would probably be drug-testing this year.... I think we have a pretty good record at taking the lead indrug-testing. We made a big contribution towards itsintroduction and I think our record in this area standsscrutiny."

On the eve of last year''s championship at Carnoustie, three-timewinner Gary Player hit the headlines with claims that a numberof players were taking performance-enhancing substances.

"I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it," Player said."And the greatest thing that the R&A, the USGA and the PGA cando is have tests at random - it''s absolutely essential that wedo that.

"We''re dreaming if we think it''s not going to come into golf."

Player declined to use names, but said there are at least 10players who are using illegal substances.

"I might be way out - definitely not going to be lower, butmight be a (heck) of a lot more," he said. "One guy told me andsomebody else told me something that I also promised I wouldn''ttell that verified others had done it."

Even with no actual testing this year, the R&A has a "no drugs"clause in the championship entry form.

Another issue on which the Royal and Ancient Club want to beseen taking a lead is slow play, which plagued the Mastersearlier this month.

During the final round, Trevor Immelman and Brandt Snedeker tookfive hours, 10 minutes to complete their 18 holes.

Dawson said the R&A had tabled pace of play as one of the itemsfor discussion when the governing bodies of golf gather in fewweeks.

"We are concerned about it," he said. "We saw some very slowplay at the Masters and we are hoping to get a meeting of mindsand some improvements.

"It''s not just at major events. It''s the effect it has atgrassroots level. We''d like to look at educating players andpenalizing them. ... Without that it''s hard to see itimproving. And I think the elite amateur game has a piece ofthe blame because, anecdotally, coaches are encouraging pre-shotroutines."

The introduction of a ban on mobile telephones last year wasdeemed a success and will continue at Birkdale.

Officials hope there is no repeat of the incident that saw onespectator smuggle a phone through the gates in a sandwich. Thephone was taken off him, yet he tried again later in the day byputting it in his shoe.

The ban came after Tiger Woods repeatedly had to back off shotsat Hoylake two years ago.

The world No. 1 will again, of course, be the top attractionthis year, but fans hoping that the R&A will order him to delaythe start of his early morning practice sessions are almostcertain to be disappointed.

It has become the Woods way to get out on the links beforespectators are even let in at 6:30 a.m.

"I know why he does it and I understand why fans aredisappointed, but I would not anticipate a change," Dawson said.