Rory McIlroy "It's Time Golf Takes Drug Testing Seriously"

Publish Date
Wednesday, 13 July 2016, 9:49AM
Getty Images

Getty Images

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy believes golf needs a more rigorous approach to drug-testing to fall in line with other Olympic sports.

"I've been tested by the IGF (International Golf Federation) once this year ... but it was only a urine test. I haven't been blood-tested yet. I, on average, probably get tested four to five times a year which is very little compared to the rest of the Olympic sports," he said.

"I've got to know a lot of athletes over the years and whether it be coming to their houses and doing blood and urine, I think drug-testing in golf is still quite far behind some of the other sports," said McIlroy.

"Blood-testing needs to happen in golf just to make sure it is a clean sport going forward."

He said it would be easy for golfers to get away with taking the likes of HGH and it's time the sport takes drugs testing seriously.

"If golf is in the Olympics and golf wants to be seen as a mainstream sport as such, it has to get in line with other sports that test more rigorously."

McIlroy, however, does not believe illegal substances can necessarily help a golfer.

"I don't really know of any drug that can give you an advantage all the way across the board," he said.

"There are obviously drugs that can make you stronger ... and drugs that can help your concentration."

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