Tiger Woods: ‘I’ve had 5 drugs tests in one year’

WORLD No 1 Tiger Woods has faced as many random drug tests this year as the victories he’s recorded on the PGA Tour.

Tiger Woods speaking this morning ahead of the Turkish Airlines Open. Picture: Getty Images

But he is unaware of claims made by Vijay Singh’s attorney that the US circuit has made “exception after exception” in the administration of its anti-doping policy and disciplinary action against players.

Remarks made by Peter R Ginsberg at a hearing into Singh’s law suit against the PGA Tour were put to Woods at his press conference this morning on the eve of the Turkish Airlines Open.

“I’ve never heard it until you just said that,” he replied. “[But] I know that we get regularly tested throughout the year.

“I think I may have been tested five times this year . That’s usually about the number for most guys.

“But that’s all I’ve heard about it [the remarks relating to the Singh case] until you just mentioned.”

Asked if it would be a concern to him if exceptions had been made, the 14-times major winner added: “Until I know the facts, then I really can’t give you an answer.”

US Open champion Justin Rose, who is also playing in this week’s event on the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course, revealed he’d been tested on the PGA Tour but never on the European Tour.

“I have been tested on the PGA Tour many times,” said the Englishman. “This year has been a light year but, since it [testing] came in, I would say four times would be the average.

“It’s incredibly random and it’s frustrating and annoying at times, but I guess golf’s now a pretty big sport and should fall in line.

“But I don’t think I have ever been tested on the European Tour.”