Transparency needed in golf's fight against doping: WADA

A golfer casts a shadow as he practises on the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, July 10, 2005.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has applauded the steps taken by golf to combat doping but believes more could be done to achieve full transparency in its policing.

Little-known American Doug Barron on Monday became the first golfer to receive a ban for taking a performance-enhancing drug.

The PGA Tour has suspended the player for a year but, in line with its own anti-doping policy, did not name the drug.

"This case shows no sport is immune to doping," WADA president John Fahey said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Golf is moving in the right direction as relates to the fight against doping in sport. The PGA Tour anti-doping program is based in large part on the global rules promulgated in the World Anti-Doping Code.

"Now the PGA (Tour) could go even further to achieve full compliance with the Code by not keeping details of anti-doping rule violations confidential and providing WADA with a right of appeal for decisions made in relation to anti-doping rule violations.

"WADA is confident this can be achieved in the near future," Fahey added.

OTHER TOURS

The PGA Tour launched its anti-doping program in July last year after liaising with the other major golf tours and governing bodies around the world.

In the event of a positive doping test, the Tour said it would disclose details only after the entire appeals and challenges process was completed.

The variety of sanctions could include disqualification, a one-year suspension for a first violation, up to five years for a second violation and a lifetime ban for multiple violations, plus fines up to $500,000.

The National Center for Drug Free Sport administers testing on the PGA Tour virtually every week of the season with all samples analyzed by WADA-accredited laboratories.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)