South Korean golfer, An Byeong-hun has been banned for three months for a doping violation, the PGA Tour has announced.
In a statement, the tour said the world number 53 tested positive for a banned substance after taking an over-the-counter cough medicine in his native South Korea.
The suspension
His suspension has been backdated to August 31 and the 32-year-old will be eligible to play again from December 1.
Posting on his Instagram story after the ban was made public, An said: ‘In August, I was suffering from a head cold and cough. As my symptoms worsened, my mother suggested I take a widely available medication from Korea that had helped her through a similar ailment.
PGA Tour anti-doping policy
‘I took this medicine without checking its contents first, only to later find that it contained a substance that is prohibited under the PGA Tour’s anti-doping program.
‘It was the only time I used this medication and in no way did I take it to gain a competitive advantage. I regret not being more thorough in my decision-making and take full responsibility for my actions.
‘I’d like to thank the PGA Tour for supporting me during this process and look forward to returning to competition in the new year.’
A PGA Tour statement added: ‘Byeong Hun An has violated the PGA Tour anti-doping policy and has been suspended for three months, with the suspension being retroactive to August 31, 2023.
‘An tested positive for a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) contained in a cough medicine available over the counter in his native Korea.
He has cooperated fully with the Tour throughout the process and accepted his suspension.’
An has become just the eighth player to be suspended for a doping violation since the PGA Tour begun drug testing in 2008 and he is the first since America’s Matt Every was banned in 2019.
