Doug

Barron

Known primarily for being suspended for a year due to violating the PGA TOUR’s anti-doping policy, Barron clinched some form of status on the PGA or Nationwide Tour for 2012 as a result of his success this week. He carded a third-round 77 but finished at 6-under 282 to advance with a stroke to spare. Kevin Kisner, who was a rookie on TOUR in 2011, was the medalist at 17-under 271, five lower than co-runners-up Kent Jones and Mathias Gronberg. Other notables that survived include Shaun Micheel (280), Ron Whittaker (280), Clark Dennis (280), Jeff Maggert (281), Jason Allred (281), Rich Beem (283), D.J. Brigman (283) and Matt Hendrix (283). Among those that failed to advance were Vance Veazey (287), Michael Connell (288), Brian Stuard (288), Woody Austin (289), Andres Gonzales (289), Brad Elder (289), Patrick Reed (289), Ted Purdy (291), Dustin Garza (292), B.J. Staten (292), Tony Finau (292), Parker McLachlin (294), Craig Kanada (294), David Gossett (295) and Chris Smith (297).

Barron is the first ever to test positive. Details were not released but the program covers recreational drugs as well as performance enhancers. “I would like to apologize for any negative perception of the TOUR or its players resulting from my suspension,” Barron said. “I want my fellow TOUR members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on TOUR.” From the fantasy standpoint, it means zero as Barron hasn’t had status on the PGA Tour since 2006 and has never won a tournament. Until now, he was best known for hitting a ball shirtless at the 2006 Chrysler Championship.

Barron was awaiting the decision in Texas where he was planning on playing in the second stage of Q School. As a result, the suspension will carry into late 2010, which will prevent him from competing in the first stage of Q School next year. In essence, it’s a two-year ban from membership unless he manages to win after sneaking into an event via Monday qualifying or a sponsor exemption in 2011. In hindsight, while this is how he makes his living, Barron will likely regret teeing it up in June while still weaning off the banned substance. According to Alex Miceli at Golfweek.com, Barron was completely off the Propranolol by the end of July. In response to the judge’s decision tonight, the PGA Tour issed this brief statement: “We are pleased with the court’s decision and have no further comment at this time.”

Barron has been in poor health in recent years and hasn’t played on the PGA Tour since 2006. The suit claims that the medicines that were found in his system were prescribed by his doctor to treat a heart problem (anxiety) and an abnormally low testosterone level (a condition for which Shaun Micheel has been treated). Barron claimed that, “I’ve never tried to gain any advantage over my peers.” The suit was originally filed in the Tennessee Chancery Court, but then was moved to the federal court because Barron wants to play in next week’s second stage of Q School.

Barron had two birdies but today’s round has nothing to do with any fantasy value. Suspended on the PGA Tour for one year, Barron is allowed to compete on non-PGA Tour-sanctioned tours such as this one, formerly know as the Tarheel Tour. This is his first start anywhere since the suspension started. Since he doesn’t have any status on the PGA Tour, we’ll pull him from our injury report. Incidentally, notables also competing at Hilton Head this week include Tadd Fujikawa, Drew Weaver, Derek Fathauer, Kyle Thompson, bob Sowards, Matt Hendrix, Ty Tryon and Brian Harman.

Barron will hone his craft on the mini-tour while he serves his one-year suspension on the PGA Tour, which has no jurisdiction over the eGolf Tour (formally known as the Tarheel Tour). Tadd Fujikawa announced last week that he would also give this mini-tour a go this year. Current PGA Tour members Tom Gillis, Billy Horschel and David Lutterus made multiple starts on the eGolf Tour in 2009, and all three finished inside the top-15 on its money list.

Barron suffers from a low testosterone level. This comes one week after his one-year suspension for violating the TOUR’s anti-doping policy. “I have submitted new medical information that meets the criteria set forth by the PGA Tour Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee and am pleased to announce that they granted me a TUE that will allow me to treat my condition in compliance with the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy,” Barron said in a written statement. “After now having completed my one-year suspension, I look forward to again being eligible to compete on the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour.” He was hopeful to receive a sponsor exemption into this week’s Viking Classic, but he didn’t. He’ll give Q School a try later this fall.

Barron tested positive at the St. Jude Classic in June 2009 in what was his only start on the circuit all season. He suffers from a low testosterone level for which he says he hasn’t taken an injection since testing positive, and a heart condition for which he’s been instructed to wean off beta-blockers. With the suspension behind him, he is focusing on Q School this fall, and hopes to receive a sponsor exemption into next week’s Viking Classic. While prohibited from competing in PGA TOUR-sanctioned events, he earned a little over $2,600 in five starts on the eGolf Professional Tour earlier this year. As a non-winner with no status on the PGA TOUR, he has zero fantasy value.