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No players have been suspended for taking performance-enhancing drugs in the first year of the US PGA Tour doping test program, tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

But that does not mean that some players among more than 1,000 tests given in the past 12 months were not caught using recreational drugs, which fall into a different category with results unrevealed under US PGA drug test rules.

"We have no positive tests with respect to performance enhancing," Finchem said on the eve of the PGA National at Congressional Country Club.

"It's clear we don't have these numbers of players using something to give a competitive advantage. It's clear we don't have a doping problem."

Positive tests for recreational drugs, however, would send a player to the US PGA's "conduct unbecoming" disciplinary procedures, which include fines, suspension, mandatory treatment and more intensive testing.

But those results stay secret.

"We may have had some test results that trouble us in different areas and we treat those in a different bucket," Finchem said. "We don't publicize those.

"I will say this - we don't have a problem in that area."

Finchem said that he would not be surprised if the test program, which began at last year's National, eventually catches someone but sees that as an accident or aberration.

"We haven't had any problems at this point. We're not saying we won't. Dealing with hundreds of athletes, things can get into your body," Finchem said.

"It's not going to shock me. The amount of stuff that's out there and different substances you can take, you have to be careful."

Players have adjusted well to testing, US veteran Jim Furyk said, noting the only complaint came in having to wait around to produce a urine sample and adding that the perfect test rate was not a shock.

"I'm not surprised at all," US veteran Jim Furyk said. "I didn't think we had an issue when we started. If someone had an issue and you know you're going to get tested, you would quit at that point anyway."

Finchem said players who are asked to call penalties on themselves for golf infractions are treating the dope tests as any other rule of the sport.

"PGA players are accustomed to the concept that you play by the rules," Finchem said. "You have to accept the fact these substances can't be in your body and you have to take measures to make sure they aren't.

"Players work as hard to abide by this rule as any other."

Finchem understands that some people will not believe the PGA's perfect record on doping in an era where steroids could help boost distance and calming drugs could steady nerves for tricky putts.

"In some people's minds, that's probably the case. That's just human nature," Finchem said. "Some people are so cynical they can't believe we can test 300 people and not have an issue."

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials have examined the PGA program. Finchem thinks will help golf's case when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) votes on potentially adding two sports later this year.

"I don't think the results are as important as the quality of the program. Having a program that meets the criteria was very important. We met the test," Finchem said.

"The main thing is for it not to be a hindrance in the minds of the IOC members. If you have issues with doping it's a big negative for you."

AFP