PGA Tour golfer asks court to lift his ban for drug suspension

The first player to be suspended by the PGA Tour for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance was asking a federal court Friday to lift his suspension.

An attorney for golfer Doug Barron said a hearing was being held Friday morning in U.S. District Court in Memphis on a lawsuit filed the day before seeking an immediate injunction from the court to let him play.

Lawyer Jeffrey Rosenblum said Barron was seeking a decision in time to compete in the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament next week.

Barron, a 40-year-old journeyman who lives in Tennessee and lost his tour card three years ago, was suspended this month for one year. Under its doping policy, the tour announces a suspension but does not disclose what substance a player used.

In court documents, the PGA said Barron was tested on June 11 during the St. Jude Classic in Memphis and the sample was positive for propranolol, a beta-blocker, and testosterone.

Andrew Levinson, the executive director of the tour’s anti-doping program, said in court documents that Barron had sought prior approval from the tour to use the substances based on medical needs, but his applications were denied.

But according to the lawsuit, the PGA Tour was aware Barron had been taking beta blockers when he was tested at the St. Jude Classic — the only tour event he played this year.

On Nov. 2, the tour announced his suspension for one year, a surprise to many players who knew Barron.

“I’ve never tried to gain any advantage over my peers,” Barron said, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

According to media reports, in the suit, Barron said he has been taking beta blockers for a heart condition for 22 years and testosterone shots for low testosterone since 2005 — both prescribed by doctors.

 

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