LPGA drug and steroid testing omits HGH

This is the worst news we could have had. It looked like the LPGA was going to set a benchmark; seize the initiative from the PGA, lead the charge against steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.
But even though 82 different substances are banned, the greatest scourge of the generation, HGH, is noticably absent. HGH should have been the first thing banned.

Now, cheaters know exactly what to use. You can’t get caught for something the test doesn’t explore.

Tour general counsel Jill Pilgrim said in an interview, the tour wanted to target drugs that enhance golfer’s performance. But then she uttered the words that removed the last fig leaf of credibility:

“The easiest thing would have been to just go ahead and take the WADA list of prohibited substances that the Olympics use,” said Pilgrim, who held the same position with USA Track & Field. “We thought about that and decided that in golf in general, and women’s golf in particular, there’s no sense that there’s a problem per se.

“To me, you have to be responsible about developing a program. You don’t just throw everything at the wall and say, ‘OK, we’re going to ruin your career for testing positive even though we have no proof that it has any impact on the sport.’ That wouldn’t make sense.”

The tour will not test for HGH, which is on WADA’s banned list and has become the latest drug of choice among athletes in other sports. Pilgrim said the tour did not ban HGH because “we don’t have any evidence that HGH is a problem in women’s professional golf.

Unbelievable. So the cheaters will use HGH, not get caught and the tour can say “We haven’t caught any one so we don’t have a problem.” The ostrich has it’s head in the sand, the fox is in charge with the hen house.

Meanwhile, as I reported here, New Jersey also has a gaping hole in the testing procedure – playoffs only. Great, you watch, the LPGA will institute a similar rule basically telling everyone when “random” testing will occur.

That way cheaters will know when to cycle off.

Here is the article.

Do you still think HGH can’t help a golfer? Read this. They show you exactly how to use HGH and build your body to improve muscle mass and flexibility without growing like Barry Bonds. Instead you’ll just look buff…and have increased flexibility, speedier hand eye coordination and lower heart rate.

Without testing for HGH, the LPGA’s testing is less than worthless. Indeed, its a signpost telling cheaters exactly how to do it and not get caught. You want to stop cheaters? You should follow WADA and USADA. That’s how to catch them and serve a better social good…not reap in money from women breaking records like your brothers over at MLB.

You watch. If Congress steps in against MLB – and they are close to doing just that – then watch how fast the PGA and LPGA come into line with WADA. But as long as those controlling the testing also rake in the gate receipts, why should they limit drugs? More records. Look at the girl drive it 350 yards! Cha-ching!

I’ll be interviewing WADA’s Dr. Gary Wadler later this spring.