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• Tour pro’s claims about Tiger dismissed
• ‘There is no truth whatsoever to these claims’
• Accuser Olsen withdraws claims made to radio show

TIGER WOODS

Both the PGA Tour and representatives of Tiger Woods have denied extraordinary accusations made by a journeyman professional that the former world No.1 is serving a suspension for a failed drug test.

Speaking to a radio station in the USA, Dan Olsen – who last played in a PGA Tour event in 2011 – said: “I’ve heard that he’s suspended. I heard he’s on a month’s suspension.”

Adding that it was a ‘credible person that’s telling me this’, Olsen continued: “It’s not testosterone but it’s something else. I think when it’s all said and done, he’s gonna surpass Lance Armstrong with infamy.”

Referencing the sex scandal that erupted around Woods in late 2009 and subsequently cost him his marriage, Olsen added: “”They’re not even going to remember the women. The women are going to take a distant second place.”

“These claims are absolutely, unequivocally and completely false.” – Tiger Woods‘ agent, Mark Steinberg

The interview quickly went viral, prompting swift and vehement denials by both the tour and Woods’ camp – and a full retraction of the claims by Olsen.

“There is no truth whatsoever to these claims. We categorically deny these allegations,” said Ty Votaw, executive vice president of the PGA Tour, an unusual move for the tour, which almost never comments one way or the other on disciplinary matters.

Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg added: “These claims are absolutely, unequivocally and completely false. They are unsourced, unverified and completely ridiculous.”

Nationwide Tour - 2005 National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic - Final Round

In a statement of his own, given to ESPN.com, Olsen, pictured above, said: “Everything I said on that radio interview was only my opinion and not based on any first hand knowledge or facts.”

Olsen had also brought in question the legality of the golf ball that Woods uses, saying he ‘played a ball that nobody else could play.’

Adding that Tiger ‘has the help of the establishment’, Olsen told the radio show: “That combined with his enhancement issues, like having a Canadian blood spinning doctor in his phone, you know? I mean, I think people are starting to openly call it what it is, which is gonna be a problem for him.”

“Every ball Tiger has put in competitive play from Nike has been thoroughly tested and approved by the USGA and R&A.” – Nike statement

In a statement, Nike, which manufactures Woods’ equipment, dismissed Olsen’s claim about the golf ball, saying: “Every ball Tiger has put in competitive play from Nike has been thoroughly tested and approved by the USGA and R&A in accordance with their governing rules.”

Woods is currently on an indefinite leave of absence from the PGA Tour to deal with issues in his game. He withdrew during the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open last month and missed the cut in his first tour event of the year, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, in January.

Following the completion of the Honda Classic yesterday, he is now in 75th place on the Official World Golf Rankings.

Tiger Woods claims :: your thoughts

What do you make of the claims made (and subsequently retracted in full) by Dan Olsen that Tiger Woods has been suspended by the PGA Tour? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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