DCDeac
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2011
- Messages
- 11,750
- Reaction score
- 2,606
The PGA Tour policy is not just about PED's. The reason substances like marijuana are banned is for image reasons. The PGA Tour is a brand and they are extremely image conscious, and they want to manage that brand.
DCDeac summed up the blood pressure issue quite well, however it's not always as simple as getting a medical use exemption for quality of life type drugs. The Tour still dropped the hammer on Doug Barron (needed to show they were serious about the new drug policy) a few years ago for taking a testosterone supplement that was medically prescribed. Obviously getting testosterone treatments is different than taking HCTZ (yes, this is on the banned substance list...most diuretics are) or Beta Blockers for your blood pressure.
The USGA decided to start following the anti-doping policy for amateur events this year as well. Should be entertaining to see how many players in the field at the US mid Am have to get medical use exemptions for their blood pressure meds. I actually take two substances that violate the policy and already got a letter from my doctor since I plan to play a couple qualifiers this year. There are going to be players that qualify, get tested at the main event, and don't have their exemption letter yet. In those cases the USGA is going to DQ them from the event and call the next alternate on the list. There simply won't be enough time to get the letter and prove your innocence.
Thought it was just the Amateur, and only after you made sectionals? Not counting the Open obviously...