John Daly accuses PGA Tour over 'random' drug testing

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

THE PGA Tour's farcical drug-testing policy is in the spotlight yet again after John Daly claimed that it is not random at all and that he fully expects to be tested before just about every tournament in which he competes.

It has to be said that it should surprise nobody, let alone Daly, that he is a target. Goodness only knows what he has put into his body over the years and, if nothing else, the tour probably wants to make sure he is sober before he starts bombing those 300-plus yard drives around golf course filled with spectators.

But Daly doesn't see it that way and describes the tour's drug testing as a "big joke". And he has a lot of support, including from your correspondent. He expressed his views when he was asked on Hit It Hard with John Daly whether drug testing on the PGA Tour was random. "Not at all," Daly told host Patrick Meagher. "I'm gonna play at 1.50pm on Friday, so they're [going to] get me about 6.52, 7 o'clock."

"It will be the fifth or sixth year in a row I'm going to get drug tested [at this event]," said Daly ahead of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook. "It's the biggest bullshit. I'm sorry, I'm gonna say it, fine me. I don't care what you do, fix 'em right now, fine me, but I'm tired of it. It's not random; it's big a joke. This whole drug testing is a joke.

"I'm pissed 'cause I know I'm going to get drug tested no matter where I go. I'm actually defending all the golfers in this tournament," he continued. "But I'm so sick of it being 'random.' It's not random."

Daly aimed a broadside at PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and chief of operations Andy Pazder, saying, "Andy Pazder, if you listen to this show, you and Tim Finchem get off your ass and get it right. You know, I'm tired of it. Because it has to be random; this is bullshit. And I'm sorry, fine me, I don't care what you do, fine me, but do it randomly."

After his pro-am round, he returned to the subject again. "It's not fair to the tour guys. I don't mind taking a drug test at all. When I'm sitting out here Thursday and Friday thinking I'm going to get drug tested, holding my [urine] for two hours, it affects your golf game."

Afterwards, Daly was approached by Ross Berlin, the tour's director of player relations, and Daly later said: "I already got my letter." Presumably he has been fined for saying what most of think.

But the PGA Tour issued a brief statement, and accused Daly of getting his facts wrong. "While our staff has met with John Daly in the past, including within the past year, to review the details of the programme, it would appear we need to do so again based on his recent comments," the tour said in a statement.

The tour said it has explained to Daly that testing is random and selective and that its policy allows for "target testing."

"We have also shared with him his own individual testing history," the tour said. "While it is not our practice to publicly comment on individual testing matters, we reserve the right to correct factually incorrect statements. Contrary to his assertions, John Daly has never been targeted for testing and his claim that players know when they will be tested is simply not true."

Bo Van Pelt said: "I have no problem with randomness. I have been tested on the West Coast, Florida, and later in year. I am in favour of full disclosure of positive tests whether it be performance or recreational drugs." Amen to that, Bo.
Henrik Stenson said he had been tested about three times a year, and suggested a solution. “Early in the spring it seems to be quite a lot. The easiest thing would almost be to do everyone early, middle and late and then you can have a couple random every now and then,” he said.

A multiple tournament winner who refused to be identified publicly, supported Daly and even suggested that his claims were only the tip of the iceberg. "You would be surprised how many guys are tested more often [than others]. I refer to this group as the 'safe' guys. We get tested often because we are clean, and it makes testing look frequent and thorough. But it is a total facade. They don't test 'big iffy' guys often at all, and nNever out of competition. Testing Daly may seem thorough, but nobody has ever thought he's done anything illegal. Only alcohol, and that's not illegal. It is a joke, as JD said. No transparency."

This issue still has a long, long way to run.