Doug Barron first pro golf banned for doping violation, PGA Tour gives journeyman one-year suspension

November 3, 2009

Doug Barron, a journeyman pro who has played eight seasons on the PGA Tour and several recent part-time seasons in the Nationwide Tour, has become the first golfer to receive a ban for taking a performance-enhancing drug.

The PGA Tour announced in a statement that Barron, 40, had been suspended for a year for violating its anti-doping policy. The PGA Tour did not name the drug.

“I would like to apologize for any negative perception of the Tour or its players resulting from my suspension,” Barron said via the PGA Tour. “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.”

Barron of Memphis, Tenn., turned professional in 1992 and most recently played a full schedule on the PGA Tour in 2006 when he made the cut in 10 of 26 tournaments. Barron’s best career PGA Tour finish is a tie for third at the 2005 Bryon Nelson Championship.

Barron has played in four Nationwide Tour events and one PGA Tour event this season.

The PGA Tour began its anti-doping program in July of 2008. Under its rules, details of a positive doping violation are revealed after the appeals and challenges process.

The PGA Tour sanctions included a one-year suspension for a first violation, as long as a five-year suspension for a second violation and a lifetime ban and fines up to $500,000 for additional violations.

Barron’s best PGA Tour season was 2005 when he earned $731,990.

Posted in Global Golf News, PGA Tour