Last Updated: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:07
Organisers of The Open have delayed plans to become the first major tournament to test golfers for drugs until 2009.
Testing for drugs was due to begin on the European and American tours in July, starting at The Open, but the Royal and Ancient Club have opted to wait another year now, claiming some qualifiers take place in countries which do not have the same education programme as Europe and America.
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson, who was instrumental in the formation of the anti-doping policy adopted by the professional game late last year, said: "We played a leading role in the development of a policy of which we are very proud.
"But it is very important that players understand what it is about and given that quite a number of players do not play on the PGA or European Tours we decided that it will not start at The Open this year.
"But we very much hope and intend to start next year. If The Open was in October we would probably be drug-testing this year.
"I think we have a pretty good record at taking the lead in drug-testing. We made a big contribution towards its introduction and I think our record in this area stands scrutiny."