Henrik Stenson talks drug testing in golf

• Henrik Stenson talks drug testing after Daly’s scathing comments
• “It’s not random, it’s a big joke,” the American claimed
• Both players preparing for the Valspar Championship

Henrik Stenson has shared his own experiences of drug testing in golf, a day after two-time major winner John Daly blasted the PGA Tour’s procedure as ‘a big joke’.

The Swede was speaking ahead of the Valspar Championship and, clearly prompted to give his thoughts on the situation following Daly’s comments, claimed he’d been tested far more on American soil than in Europe.

Henrik Stenson said: “I would probably say I’ve been tested an average of about three times . I’ve been tested more over here than I have in Europe, I’m pretty positive about that even though the tests have always been negative!

“This whole drug testing is a joke” – John Daly

“It tends to be mainly at this time of year. Last week at Doral I had to pee in a cup and I’ve been tested previously at the Honda Classic and the WGC Match Play. So it’s always something that happens in the early part of the year.”

Daly, who is also competing at the Valspar Championship, heavily criticised the PGA Tour’s drug testing policy on Tuesday night, branding it unfair and anything but random.

The American, who has battled alcohol and health problems in the past, said: “This will be the fifth or sixth year in a row I’m going to get drug tested . It’s not random, it’s a big joke. This whole drug testing is a joke.”

Daly’s scathing comments saw a swift response from the PGA Tour, who said that the player didn’t have his facts right.

But Henrik Stenson said he understands Daly’s comments, answering ‘both yes and no’ when asked if he felt testing was random, and offered a solution to make the procedure fairer.

“I think the easiest thing would be to do everyone early, middle and late and add in a couple of random ones every now and then. Get everyone on a few occasions. But I don’t know how it works, who gets tested and how often,” Henrik Stenson said.

“At the Olympics don’t they always test the medalists? I wouldn’t be against that, you can always test anyone that does any good.”

Henrik Stenson will be looking to build on his performance at the WGC-Cadillac Championship last week, where he finished in a tie for fourth place.

The Swede tees off at the Valspar Championship at 8.25am local time alongside Patrick Reed and Ernie Els.

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