Drug testing not introduced for 2008 Open

SOUTHPORT, England (AP) -- Automatic drug testing will not be introduced at this year's British Open at Royal Birkdale in July.

Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson described the delay as "slightly unsatisfactory" but said he expects anti-doping controls to be in place for the 2009 championship at Turnberry.

The professional game adopted an anti-doping policy in November and testing was expected to begin on the PGA and European Tours in July. It had been expected that testing would be conducted at the Open from July 17-20.

But Dawson said the Open was not ready to begin the testing program because of the tournament's global qualifying system.

International qualifying events have already been held in Asia, South Africa and Australia, and the players at those events have not had the same doping education program open to those in Europe and America.

"We have decided that drug testing will not take place at this year's Open, but we very much plan and hope, and intend, that it will take place next year," said Dawson. "The delay is slightly unsatisfactory but is a question of timing."

Dawson said the R&A, which runs the British Open, had played a big part in golf's new anti-drug stance. "The PGA Tour and the European Tour have both announced that they expect to start drug-testing round about July of this year," he said.

"Both Tours are engaged in quite extensive and very important player education programs. It is very important that players understand what drug testing is all about. If the Open was in October we would probably be drug-testing this year," added Dawson

Even with no actual testing this year, the R&A has a "no drugs" clause in the championship entry form. On the eve of last year's championship at Carnoustie, three-time winner Gary Player made headlines with claims that a number of players were using performance-enhancing substances.

"I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it," the South African said then. "And the greatest thing that the R&A, the USGA and the PGA can do is have tests at random. It's absolutely essential that we do that. We're dreaming if we think it's not going to come into golf."

Under golf's doping program, penalties for a positive test range from a one-year suspension for the first offense to a lifetime ban if a player is caught three times. E-mail to a friend

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