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Vijay Singh admits using deer-antler spray, denies knowing it contained banned substance

By: John Nicholson, The Associated Press

Posted: 01/30/2013 1:06 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 01/30/2013 5:22 PM

Vijay Singh, of Fiji, looks on before teeing off on the 10th hole of the north course at the Torrey Pines Golf Course during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Vijay Singh says he has used deer-antler spray and wasn't aware that it may contain a substance banned by the PGA Tour.

The 49-year-old Fijian first revealed he used the spray in an interview with Sports Illustrated. The magazine said Singh paid one of Sports With Alternatives To Steroids' owners $9,000 last November for the spray, hologram chips and other products.

The magazine also reported Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis sought help from SWATS in his recovery from a torn right triceps. The company says its deer-antler substance contains a banned performance-enhancer connected to human growth hormone.

Singh released a statement Wednesday at the Phoenix Open.

"While I have used deer-antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy," Singh said in the statement.

"In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances. I am absolutely shocked that deer-antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position. I have been in contact with the PGA Tour and am co-operating fully with their review of this matter. I will not be commenting further at this time."

PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said the tour is "looking into the matter."

"I know that it's obviously illegal, whatever it is," Masters champion Bubba Watson said. "It sounds like something I would never want near me. ... I don't even know how you take deer-antler spray.

"It's sad that people live and die by their sport and they have to, I guess, cheat and go around it and try to better themselves with deer-antler spray. I'm not just going to take something and ask questions later. I'm not going to take deer antler-spray and find out what it is later. ... I think we should check them for mental problems if they're taking deer-antler spray. That's kind of weird."

Singh won the last of his 34 PGA Tour titles in 2008. The three-time major champion also has 22 international victories. Early in his career, he was suspended from the Asian Tour for two years for altering his scorecard during a tournament in Indonesia.

Doug Barron is the only player to be suspended under the tour's anti-doping policy, missing part of 2009 and most of 2010. The one-year suspension was lifted in September 2010, and Barron was granted a therapeutic use exemption for low testosterone.

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