It’s been a while since the PGA Tour suspended a player under its anti-doping policy but now Mark Hensby’s the latest guy to get slapped.
Hensby’s been given a one-year suspension, not for testing positive for any banned substance but for failing to provide a urine sample when requested.
It’s not as though any golf fans will be shaken up by this.
Hensby’s currently ranked 1,623rd in the World Rankings. He played in only 14 Web.com events last season and finished an undistinguished 142nd on that money list.
He won the 2004 John Deere and was once ranked among the top 30 players in the world.
So what happened to the Aussie?
Hensby explained this week.
He said that the test in question came after the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship, where the Aussie opened with a 78. Frustrated about his play, Hensby said he was prepared to give a blood sample but was then informed that the test would be urine, not blood.
“I had just urinated on the eighth hole, my 17th hole that day, and knew that I was probably unable to complete the urine test for at least a couple more hours,” Hensby said. “I told this gentleman that I would complete the test in the morning prior to my early morning tee time. Another gentleman nearby told me that ‘they have no authority to require me to stay.’ Thus, I left.”
Hensby explained that he subsequently received multiple calls and texts from PGA Tour officials inquiring as to why he left without providing a sample and requesting that he return to the course.
“I showed poor judgment in not responding,” said Hensby, who was subsequently disqualified from the tournament.
“Again,” he added, “I made a terrible decision to not stay around that evening to take the urine test. Obviously in hindsight I should have been more patient, more rational and taken the test. Call me stupid, but don’t call me a cheater. I love the game. I love the integrity that it represents and I would never compromise the values and qualities that the game deserves.”
