Performance enhancing drugs, sadly, has become part of the fabric of sports today. Whether it's steroids in baseball or an NBA player taking an over-the-counter substance that elevates his testosterone, drugs and sports seemingly go hand in hand.
As we head into the weekend of the PGA Championship, and Tiger Woods is going for his 15th major championship in golf, I began to wonder the ultimate, "What if?" What if the greatest golfer of our generation tested positive for 'performance enhancing drugs'? Would that not go down as one of the biggest scandals, and more importantly, ignite one of the greatest debates in sports history?
The burning question we would have to ask ourselves - did taking performance enhancing drugs, well, enhance his performance? Golf is certainly a little different sport when you talk about having a "competitive edge." In a game that relies so much on accuracy and finesse, is there even a drug out there that could improve your play? Aside from the obvious, which is having the ability to hit a longer tee shot by taking some form of human-growth-hormone (HGH)substance, I'm not sure there is any significant advantage. We've all seen John Daly in his prime, rip 300+ yard tee shots, but that didn't necessarily translate to success in in the sport.
The PGA just last year implemented an "anti-doping" drug policy for the tour. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who also serves as chairman of the World Golf Foundation, said the policy includes a list of banned substances, and methods for each golf organization to carry them out. The list of banned substances includes anabolic agents, hormones, stimulants, narcotics, beta blockers and masking agents.
If it was discovered Tiger was taking a stimulant or some form of masking agent, what happens to the record books? Golf is a game of individual records and achievement. In team sports like baseball, when Manny Ramirez is found to have taken steroids, you can't really take away the RedSox World Series' titles. However, in an individual sport like golf (much like many Olympic events) you can certainly strip a player of his achievements.
Would we have a record book filled with asterisks? Would the PGA go back and recognize the runner-up in each major that Tiger won, as the new "champion?" And what about those jugs? Tiger's name has been permanently inscribed on them! Oh, and how about the small issue that in golf, you are paid winnings based on what place you finish. Would Tiger have to give money back? Could runner-ups file a claim for earnings they were "cheated" out on?
You get the picture. Doping in the game of golf could be one big huge disaster, but again, ONLY if you agreed that these drugs had a direct impact on a player's success.
Fortunately, this is all one big "What if?" Tiger clearly doesn't need any performance enhancing drugs to win golf tournaments. He already has his competitive advantage and it's something you won't find over-the-counter or in a back alley - it's called mental toughness.
** Disclaimer - Please note I am not insinuating, nor do I have any information, that suggests Tiger Woods takes any performance enhancing drugs.
No comments:
Post a Comment