Westwood: vodka fan
If they ban vodka, I'm giving up golf.
Lee Westwood
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Lee Westwood has backed the introduction of drug testing in golf but warned that the PGA and European Tours must reach a consensus on which substances are banned.
Both organisations are scheduled to begin testing on July 1 and the Worksop golfer fears a different list of banned substances on either side of the Atlantic may result in somebody testing positive due to an innocent mistake.
Westwood suspects an American player is more likely to test positive in Europe than vice versa, because the European Tour has a longer list of banned substances.
For example, Westwood takes salbutamol for his asthmatic condition. The drug is legal on the PGA Tour, but not on the European Tour, which means he has to apply for a 'temporary use exemption' in Europe, but not the United States.
"The problem is different tours have different banned substances and there's a grey area right in the middle," said Westwood, who is currently in action at the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
"I can't understand why everybody can't get together and have one list and that be worldwide.
Ridiculous
"Then you won't get somebody being tripped up, because it seems to me somebody's reputation is going to be really tainted just because of an innocent mistake. I think it's really ridiculous.
"There might be an asthmatic here that doesn't realise it's banned in Europe, and it's too late once you've tested positive," he continued.
"I think we are all for drugs testing. We are one of the few sports that don't have drug testing."
Westwood is of the opinion that there are no drugs that can enhance performance in golf 'too much', although that assertion is at odds with several sports science experts who have studied the issue.
"(Golf) is not really that physically a demanding sport, compared to sprinting or baseball," he added.
Westwood is also relieved that one particular substance remains legal on both sides of the Atlantic, saying: "As far as I can tell, alcohol is not on the banned list, so I'm all right.
"If they ban vodka, I'm giving up golf."
