Drug Testing on the PGA Tour? It's No Gimme

In his 25 years on the PGA Tour, Mark Brooks' longevity has resulted in some fairly hefty statistics. He's played in more than 700 career tournaments, won seven events, made more than 400 cuts and earned nearly $9 million.

But for all of his accomplishments and career consistency, Brooks often remains unheralded, particularly in recent years. He's finished out of the top-125 money list the past four seasons, yet he remains among the circuit's quiet veteran "grinders."

But there's one exception. Ask Brooks about the feasibility of drug testing on the PGA Tour, and he's far from unassuming.

"Basically, in golf (the PGA Tour) you've got 200-plus independent contractors and those who are on the PGA Tour Policy Board are not all elected, and well, there's a problem," Brooks said.

"Should we or should we not? Whatever. But it's not just a matter of Tiger (Woods') opinion or someone else's opinion or whether we should or shouldn't. I'm not a lawyer, obviously not by any stretch. But my guess is that we'll have some serious legal issues if we get into that field."

Brooks is not alone among PGA Tour players with strong opinions on the topic. The thoughts vary from unconditional acceptance of a potential drug-testing policy to strong skepticism the problem exists.

The feasibility of the PGA Tour testing its players for performance-enhancing drugs is not new. But the topic came into a sharper focus last year on three occasions.

First, Woods said he supported a drug-testing program and would be first in line to take the test. Subsequently, the LPGA announced last November it would begin testing its athletes for the 2008 season.

In the same time frame as the LPGA's announcement, the PGA Tour Policy Board at the tour's headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The drug-testing issue was one of many topics discussed. But nothing was determined regarding the complicated issue, nor is a decision expected soon.

"You can't have bylaws that are unconstitutional, unless of course there's proper representation and something is changed. And I'm certain we don't (have it)," said Brooks.

"I'm not knocking the PGA Tour. It's just the make-up of it. When they need us to be independent contractors and not part of whole Tour for their convenience, that's what we are. But when we need to be part of the Tour, and all one, well, that's the verbiage that's used. But it's not accurate."

During its meetings last November, the PGA Tour Policy Board focused on the new FedEx Cup. But the nine-person committee, which includes PGA Tour veterans Scott McCarron, Joe Durant, Davis Love III and Joe Ogilvie, released a press release regarding its drug-testing discussion. It read:

"The PGA TOUR Policy Board discussed the TOUR's existing policy on illegal substances, which prohibits PGA TOUR members from using illegal performance-enhancing drugs and which grants the Commissioner the authority to utilize drug testing in his total discretion and impose penalties if he believes there is a need to do so.

"This was a continuation of the process the PGA TOUR has been undertaking over the past year and has included discussions with the R&A, the USGA and other professional golf tours around the world."

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has repeatedly said he's seen no evidence of illegal drug use among PGA Tour players. As a result, he's hesitant to enact a drug-testing policy.

But as varied as the personalities among PGA players, so, too, are their opinions regarding potential drug testing.

"I don't have any problem testing for performance-enhancing drugs," said Scott Simpson, the former U.S. Open winner who's play on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour in 2007. "There might be a few guys who toke-up (use marijuana) every once in awhile, but I don't think that's going to help you any.

"But as far as steroid testing, I personally don't think anyone has done it, but why not test? Why not? What does it hurt? It just costs money. If they came to me and ask, sure I would test. You bet. I guess you always have to worry a little bit about a bad test, but I don't think that's going to happen."

Reacting to the LPGA's announcement, Greg Norman was adamant. While playing in Australia, he told GolfOnline.com:

"We have the opportunity to [test], and I don't see any reason why we wouldn't do it. Maybe I'm naive. I'm not worried about this generation. I'm worried about my son's generation and if his kids want to play.
"Everyone is looking for the edge. If somebody can improve his score from 280 to 278, it means a lot of money these days. You're talking about a quarter - or half-a-million dollars. So why not?

"If the rules aren't there, you can't blame the players. If it is happening, and I'm not saying it is, even if one player is doing it, it's one too many."