News

#21 Drug Testing

November 30, 2008
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It debuted in fits and starts and to mixed reviews, but it began nevertheless. The LPGA went first, at the Fields Open in February. It later called those tests (which took hours) "a dry run," then resumed testing in May—but only after dumping the agency collecting samples. The RA had its own false start. Believing international players had not been forewarned adequately, it scrapped plans to test at the British Open in favor of next year's event. Things went more smoothly for the PGA Tour, which began testing in July—unless you include Frank Lickliter II's warning to roll out something other than the red carpet should a tester dare show up at his doorstep.