Byeong Hun An suspended by PGA Tour over cough medicine

Golf Star Byeong Hun An Suspended by PGA Tour for Anti-Doping Violation

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Byeong Hun An, the talented golf player, has received a three-month suspension from the PGA Tour after violating their anti-doping policy. This infringement was due to the presence of a banned substance found in an over-the-counter cough medicine that is commonly sold in South Korea.

The PGA Tour publicly announced the suspension on Wednesday, revealing that the 32-year-old An fully cooperated throughout the process and acknowledged his wrongdoing. He now joins a list of eight players who have been suspended since the PGA Tour implemented drug testing in 2008, with the last suspension occurring in 2019 when Matt Every faced a similar situation.

An took to Instagram to share his side of the story, expressing regret over the incident. He explained that while battling a head cold and persistent cough, his mother recommended a popular Korean medication that had helped her with a similar ailment. In an unfortunate turn of events, it was later discovered that the medication contained a banned substance according to the PGA Tour’s anti-doping program. An clarified that he had never used this medication before and had no intentions of gaining an unfair advantage on the course. However, he acknowledged his lapse in judgment and assumed full responsibility for his actions. He also expressed gratitude to the PGA Tour for their support during this difficult process and eagerly anticipated his return to competition in the coming year.

An concluded the 2023 season by finishing in 44th place in the FedEx Cup. Consequently, he is eligible to participate in all the highly anticipated $20 million signature events scheduled for 2024. The suspension, retroactive to August 31, means that An will be eligible to return to the sport on December 1. Since competing in the BMW Championship in August, An has not played in any events. It is important to note that the FedEx Cup fall swing primarily revolves around players aiming to secure their PGA Tour cards for the upcoming season.

Although An is yet to secure a victory on the PGA Tour, he has an impressive track record. In 2009, he became the youngest U.S. Amateur champion at the age of 17, an accomplishment that solidified his promising future in the sport. He showcased his skills by winning the prestigious BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour in 2015. An’s talent has also earned him a spot in the Presidents Cup in 2019, where he represented his country in Australia.

An’s suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the PGA Tour’s anti-doping policies and the need for athletes to be vigilant in scrutinizing the contents of any medication they consume. Moving forward, he will undoubtedly use this experience as a lesson to make more cautious decisions in the future.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.