Bob Harig on Doug Barron losing in court:
In his ruling, Pham wrote that Barron's participating in the qualifying round this week "could raise substantial public policy concerns regarding the enforcement of anti-doping policies in professional sports."
According to Barron's attorney and representative Art Thorne, Barron tested positive this summer for two banned substances -- testosterone and a beta-blocker -- both of which Barron said he has been taking for years as prescribed by a doctor.
Barron had sought a therapeutic use exemption for the drugs last year but was denied by the PGA Tour. His lawyers argued that he was not trying to gain an unfair advantage, that he took the drugs under a doctor's supervision and that he made no secret about it.
Barron, who played in just one PGA Tour event this year -- the Memphis St. Jude Classic where the random drug test was administered -- and four on the Nationwide Tour, was in Texas on Monday where he hoped to tee it up in the 72-hole qualifier which begins Wednesday at Deerwood Golf Club in McKinney.
Alex Miceli posts this very interesting timeline on Barron's career, with notes about how far back he has relied on beta-blockers.
Oct. 22, 2008 – Commissioner Tim Finchem denies appeal and instructs Barron to begin weaning himself off the drug.
2008 – Barron earns only $33,446 in 17 events on the Nationwide Tour.
Jan. 20 or 21*, 2009 – Tour denies the TUE for exogenous testosterone and instructs Barron to stop taking the drug. (* The Tour and Barron have different dates for the decision.)
Spring – Barron starts to take Lyrica as a substitute for Propranolol.
Early June – A doctor injects Barron with exogenous testosterone.
June 11 – Barron is drug-tested at the St. Jude Classic.
June 15 – Barron misses the cut at St. Jude.
2009 – Barron’s sample is found to contain Propranolol and testosterone.
July 23, Aug. 12 – Barron provides additional information to the Tour about his use of Propranolol and testosterone.
Oct. 20 – The Tour suspends Barron for one year (until Sept. 20, 2010) for violating the anti-doping ban on performance-enhancing drugs.
A cynic (which I certainly am not) might read that account and think the Commissioner didn't like Barron ignoring his recommendation to start weaning himself off of his prescribed drugs. Hard to imagine how Barron would not have faith in the Commissioner's medical expertise. Shocking, frankly.
