Deer Antler Spray News: Golfer Vijay Singh Latest To Be Linked To Banned Substance

By Jean-Paul Salamanca (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Jan 31, 2013 01:27 AM EST

Tags Vijay Singh, PGA, PGA Tour, Golf, deer antler, Deer Antler Spray, Deer Antler Pills, ray lewis

One of golf's top stars joins the growing list of athletes that have been linked to deer antler spray, with Vijay Singh admitting Wednesday that he "unintentionally" took the banned substance.

Sports Illustrated reported in their Feb. 4 issue that Singh, formerly ranked No. 1 in the world in golf in 2004 and 2005, had taken the spray, which contains IGF-1, which is thought to enhance muscle recovery. Labeled as a performance enhancer, the substance is banned by under PGA rules.

"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 a statement released Wednesday. "In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances."

The report also named Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis as one of the athletes who took deer antler spray.

Singh, who said he is cooperating with the PGA Tour as they investigate the situation, denied taking the spray as a deliberate shortcut.

"I am absolutely shocked that deer antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position," Singh said.

However, due to the PGA's anti-doping rules, it is possible that Singh could be suspended.

A decorated golfer, Singh has won several major tournaments, including the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and PGA Championships in 1998 and 2004.

Master champion Bubba Watson told ESPN that deer antler spray "sounds like something I would never want near me. "

"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," he said.