Vijay Singh's future as a PGA golfer hangs in the balance. In a report by Fox News on Feb. 25, finds the golfer in hot water over his confessed use of an enhancement product, banned by the PGA. Singh's claim that he had no idea that the substance was banned, is no excuse in the eyes of the PGA.
PGA commissioner Tim Finchem said a decision will be made soon on the Pro golfer's fate with the tour. Finchem recently spoke at a news conference and fielded questions on Singh and the PGA's position on the golfer's confessed use of the banned substance, deer-antler spray.
The spray which contains Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, known as IGF-1, which is banned by the PGA Tour and many other sports.
Singh issued a statement admitting to using the substance, counteracting a formal investigation. In Singh's statement he admitted to use but stated that the product's labeling did not specifically list the banned substance as an active toxin.
“While I have used deer-antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour's anti-doping policy,” Singh said.
“In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances. "I am absolutely shocked that deer-antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position," the 50-year-old golfer, exclaimed.
Singh and PGA commissioner Tim Finchem reportedly met at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am about the potential violation, but neither side had spoken publicly about the investigation until Finchem’s news conference on Feb. 24, 2013.
While Singh is currently still active in the sport, he could face a ban of as long as one year on the PGA Tour and a fine of as much as $500,000, according to the report.
Fox Sports reports, "Singh, a native of Fiji, has won 34 PGA Tour titles, including the 1998 and 2004 PGA Championships and the 2000 Masters. He is a former world No. 1 and is a World Golf Hall of Fame member."
“There’s no time urgency here, because if action is taken it’ll be reported,” Finchem said. “If no action is taken, it won’t be reported, and that’ll be the end of that.”
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