LIV Golf has banned Graeme McDowell for one occasion and fined the previous US Open champion $125,000 (£98,000) after he breached anti-doping procedures by utilizing a Vicks nasal spray to help with chilly signs. It marks the primary seen proof of doping management on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.
McDowell will sit out LIV’s Greenbrier cease subsequent weekend after admitting his error, which occurred throughout an occasion in Nashville in June. The Northern Irishman additionally performed in subsequent LIV tournaments in Spain and England. On the latter, McDowell’s Smash workforce shared third.
In a press release, LIV mentioned: “LIV Golf has suspended Smash GC’s Graeme McDowell for one event after figuring out he violated the league’s anti-doping coverage throughout LIV Golf Nashville by utilizing a decongestant drugs that included a banned substance, R-methamphetamine (levomethamphetamine).
“Accordingly, and in accordance with the coverage, a one event suspension efficient at LIV Golf Greenbrier shall be imposed; a high quality of $125,000 shall be assessed; and the participant’s and workforce’s outcomes for LIV Golf Nashville shall be disqualified (with prize cash and factors retroactively adjusted).”
McDowell, whose future on LIV is unclear past 2024, can return to competitors when the tour visits Chicago in September. He had completed tied forty second within the particular person standings in Nashville.
In a press release of his personal, McDowell was candid about his mistake. “Forward of Nashville, I used to be fighting extreme congestion that was affecting my sleep,” he mentioned. “In an effort to handle it, I used a normal Vicks nasal decongestant with out realising it is perhaps on the banned checklist.
“As an expert golfer, I perceive the significance of checking all drugs and the choice to use for a therapeutic use exemption. Sadly, I didn’t suppose to do that because of the over-the-counter nature of this drugs and I deeply remorse the oversight. I absolutely settle for the sanctions imposed by LIV.”
The 45-year-old McDowell adopted up with what may very well be interpreted as a dig on the PGA and DP World Excursions, which have drawn criticism previously for perceived secrecy or inaction over anti-doping issues.
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“LIV’s anti-doping coverage is designed to be thorough and clear,” McDowell mentioned. “Not like another excursions LIV enforces these guidelines rigorously, which made this case notably difficult for me. Nevertheless, I settle for the principles and penalties – they’re important for sustaining the integrity of the game.”
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