'Naïve' Vijay Singh faces premature end to career for using banned spray

Ace golfer Vijay Singh is facing the prospect of a premature end to his career following his confession that he had unknowingly used a banned substance contained in a deer antler spray, and added that he was fully cooperating with the authorities. In a statement issued on Singh's behalf by the Tour, the Fijian claimed that he was shocked that deer antler spray contained any prohibited items, which is banned under the PGA Tour anti-doping policy, and is angry with him self for putting himself in this position, the Telegraph reports. The three-time Majors winner added that he had reviewed the list of ingredients when he received the product and did not find any banned item on the list. Singh has said that he had been using the supplement only for a couple of months, for which he reportedly paid more than 5,000 pounds. However, according to the Tour, which is being pressurised to take stern action, Singh was facing the prospect of a ban which could stretch to two years, which could effectively end his top-flight career. The supplement, which contains IGF-1, which is a natural anabolic hormone for stimulating muscle growth, is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list and is banned by the major professional sports, including golf. The version Singh used was made by a company called Sports with Alternatives to Steroids (SWATS). IGF-1 reacts with the liver to produce human growth hormone, although it is not known if deer IGF-1 works on humans. Singh has never tested positive, but then the hormone can only be detected by a blood test and golf does not conduct blood tests. The Tour has urged its members to check their supplements and has always offered to conduct the tests on those supplements themselves to ensure they are not violating the laws.

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