On the eve of the PGA Tour’s premier event the Players Championship, World Golf Hall of Fame member, Vijay Singh filed a lawsuit against the tour.
According to an article posted by Steve DiMeglio in USA Today, Singh accuses the tour of violating its duty of care and good faith. The lawsuit cites the PGA Tour exposed him, “to public humiliation and ridicule for months.”
Singh admitted in a Sports Illustrated article in February that he was using Deer Antler Spray. He was unaware at the time that Deer Antler Spray contained a banned substance IGH-1.
The rules if the PGA Tour anti-doping policy does not recognize ignorance as a viable excuse to policy violations. Players are ultimately responsible for ingested products.
Under the PGA Tour anti-doping policy the tour began an investigation into the matter. Singh was informed that he would receive a suspension as punishment. He appealed and the suspension was in the review process.
Last week PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem announced that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had removed IGH-1 from its prohibited substance list. WADA provides the prohibited substance list that is used by the PGA Tour in its anti-doping policy.
Due to the WADA announcement and the admission there is no way to test for IGH-1 use, the PGA Tour dropped its suspension of Singh and declared the Deer Antler Spray matter closed.
Singh has been a PGA Tour member since 1993. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 and has earned $67 million in his career. The PGA Tour has allowed him a platform to earn a very good living.
Isn’t this the dog biting the hand that feeds him?
He has signed and acknowledged understanding the PGA Tour’s anti-doping rules and policy. IGH-1 was a banned substance in February when Singh admitted to using the Deer Antler Spray.
Commissioner Tim Finchem manages the tour but the players ultimately own the PGA Tour. Singh is suing the players on the PGA Tour.
Vijay Singh will be receiving a very chilly reception in the locker room at TPC Sawgrass this week.
Singh was given a pass and did not receive a penalty for his obvious illegal use of a banned substance.
Why is he suing the PGA Tour when he was wrong and the tour let him off?