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European Tour to introduce drug testing from July

Oddspreview staff - 26 Feb 2009

The European Tour has confirmed that it will begin drug testing in July.

Either the European Open at the London Club from July 3-6 or the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond a week later will see the first testing of players.

Golf is one of the only sports not to test for performance-enhancing drugs but that will soon change.

Last month the R&A, which governs golf in all countries except the United States and Mexico, said it had shelved plans for drug testing at the Open.

"We are almost certain to start the week of the European Open (at the London Club from 3-6 July) or maybe it will be the Scottish Open (at Loch Lomond a week later)," said European Tour chief executive George O’Grady.

O’Grady also said the first major to test for drugs would be the US PGA Championship in Michigan in August.

"I see they (the PGA of America) are going to do it at the US PGA Championship, the first major to do testing using the PGA Tour’s policy," he said.

"They will also have the anti-doping unit on site for the Ryder Cup (in Kentucky in September). Whether it is used or not will depend on things on the week but it will be there so it could happen."

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