R&A Will Not Begin Drug Testing At British Open As Expected
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R&A Decides Not To Begin
Drug Testing At British Open |
The Royal & Ancient (R&A) will "delay the expected introduction of drug testing" at this summer's British Open, a move that leaves the R&A "out of step" with the PGA and European Tours, according to Donegan & Kelso of the Manchester GUARDIAN. The PGA and European Tours in July, three weeks before the British Open, will begin drug testing players and it has been "widely assumed the R&A would seize the opportunity to make its flagship event the first major championship in history to test players." R&A CEO Peter Dawson today is scheduled to address the drug testing matter, and it is "believed he will cite the failure of the Asian and South African tours to [introduce] testing before 2009 as a reason for not testing" at the British Open. A number of players from the Asian and South African tours already have qualified for the tournament, and sources said that they will "not have undergone the same educational programmes as players" from Europe and the U.S. But Donegan & Kelso note the R&A "has a 'no drugs' clause" in the British Open entry form and its "failure to follow that up with a testing regime will be interpreted in some quarters as failure of leadership on an issue that threatens to undermine golf's alleged reputation for 'sporting integrity'" (GUARDIAN.co.uk, 4/28).
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Ochoa Wants LPGA To
Tweak Its "One-In-Four-Rule" |
LPGA: GOLFWEEK's Forecaddie reports a dozen LPGA members April 14 met with LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens "hoping to forge better communication between" the Tour's exec committee and the players. The parties discussed at the meeting the Tour's drug testing policy and the "one-in-four rule," which mandates a player must play in each tournament at least once every four years. Golfer Lorena Ochoa "thinks the one-in-four rule needs adjusting." Ochoa likely will pay a $25,000 fine for missing the Corning Classic May 22-25. But between "all the titles she must defend, the majors, three tournaments in Mexico and marquee events, Ochoa's schedule fills quickly." Ochoa also is "concerned the LPGA's schedule may soon include too many events outside the continental U.S." While Ochoa is "satisfied with the current schedule, she worries that if the tour keeps adding international events, players who struggle to keep cards will struggle even more" (GOLFWEEK, 4/26 issue).
CHINA: Grand China Air will title sponsor the LPGA's first-ever event in China. The Grand China Air LPGA will be held October 24-26 at Haikou West Golf Club in Haikou, Hainan province. The tournament was developed by the CGA, LPGA and IMG as a platform for Grand China Air to promote its brand internationally. The event will have a 63-player field and a US$1.8M purse (IMG).
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