Player in golf drugs claim
19th Jul 2007Golf legend Gary Player has made a sensational claim that some players are taking performance enhancing drugs, as the 136th Open Championship gets underway at Carnoustie.
"I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it", said Player, 71.
"I would say there are 10 guys taking something. I might be way out. It's definitely not going to be lower, it might be a hell of a lot more."
Player, who won nine majors, said that two golfers had told him personally that they were using performance enhacing drugs and he himself had been rejected them as a player.
"Every doctor I go to, without fail, says 'Gary, you must take HGH' (Human Growth Hormone)," he told a press conference.
"He said it will make you stronger, your skin will be thicker because your skin starts to get scaly, your hair is stronger, your complexion will be better, you'll be more supple".
"He said you'll start hitting the ball 20 to 30 yards further".
Performance enhancing drugs such as steroids are better known for plaguing sports such as cycling, but Player has called for doping measure to be brought into golf.
Golf is attempting to formulate a drugs testing policy and the PGA Tour is currently assembling a list of banned substances.
The European Tour says it will have a drugs policy in place by January 2008 and the LPGA Tour will start drugs testing in the same month.
World number one Tiger Woods has previously come out in favour of drugs testing and Player says it is "absolutely essential" if golf is to deter drugs cheats.
