Barron handed drugs ban

Barron: one-year ban

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Doug Barron has been named as the first golfer to receive a ban for taking a performance-enhancing drug.

The American played four events on the Nationwide Tour this year and did not make a cut. In 2008 he played 17 events and earned just over $33,000 to finish 127th on the Money List.

Barron, who turned professional in 1992, has not played a full PGA Tour schedule since 2006. He was a member of the PGA Tour from 1997-2001, in 2003 and from 2005-06, earning a career total of $2,724,280. His best finish was a tie for third at the 2005 Bryon Nelson Championship.

In a statement the PGA Tour said Barron had been suspended for a year for violating its anti-doping policy.

The 40-year-old from Memphis apologised on Monday in a statement issued through the Tour, saying he did not intend to gain an unfair advantage. The Tour declined further comment.

"I would like to apologise for any negative perception of the Tour or its players resulting from my suspension," Barron was quoted as saying by the Tour.

"I want my fellow Tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on Tour."

Under its policy, the Tour announces when a player tests positive and the length of suspension. It does not say what drug was used.