Jump to content
IGNORED

Is Vijay a Jerk or "Justified": Files Suit Against PGA Tour


Mr. Desmond
Note: This thread is 3050 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

0  

7 members have voted

  1. 1. Is Vijay a Jerk or Justified for filing a lawsuit against the PGA Tour?

    • Jerk
      55
    • Justified
      17


Recommended Posts

News is that an hour ago, Vijay Singh filed a lawsuit in NY against the PGA Tour for lack of fiduciary duty (I reserve the right to change this after more news) in placing deer antler spray on the "forbidden" list and initially sanctioning him for its use.

From what I can tell, the substance was on the PGA Tour "forbidden" list, Vijay used a substance on the forbidden list, and now he is suing the Tour because he claims it should not have been on the "forbidden" list.

And he does it on the eve of the Players Championship, I assume, to make a splash.

My initial opinion? He is a mean-spirited, vengeful man who could have handled this in a more positive way with the Tour to clear his name.

___

Singh filed suit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, charging the PGA Tour with violating its duty of care and good faith.

CLEARED: Tour drops case against Singh

The suit was filed by Peter Ginsberg, who represented the NFL's Jonathan Vilma in the New Orleans Saints bounty case.

"We just received the statement," PGA Tour vice president Ty Votaw told USA TODAY Sports. "We will have no comment."

The Tour, the lawsuit says, could have known by conducting some basic testing and research, the product that Singh sprayed contained no active biological ingredient and could not possibly have provided any performance enhancement.

"The PGA Tour has now finally admitted that the use of deer antler spray is not prohibited," the suit claims. "Rather than performing its duties to golfers first, and then determining whether there had been any violation of the Anti-Doping Program, the PGA Tour rushed to judgment and accused one of the world's hardest working and most dedicated golfers of violating the rules of the game.

Singh, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame who counts three major championships among his 34 Tour victories, admitted in January in an interview with Sports Illustrated to using deer-antler spray but was unaware that it could contain a banned performance-enhancer connected to human growth hormone called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1).

But information supplied by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) during the Tour's investigation says the use of deer antler spray is no longer prohibited. Based on that information, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem decided to drop the case.

"I am proud of my achievements, my work ethic, and the way I live my life," Singh said in a statement. "The PGA Tour not only treated me unfairly, but displayed a lack of professionalism that should concern every professional golfer and fan of the game."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2013/05/08/vijay-singh-pga-tour-deer-antler-spray/2143849/

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I argued in the other thread that deer antler spray shouldn't have been on the list and that the PGA has a responsibility to make sure the substances they ban are proven to contain PEDS.

Despite the fact I don't like Vijay, I believe he's justified, especially given the PGA decision to remove deer antler spray off their banned list.

Joe Paradiso

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I argued in the other thread that deer antler spray shouldn't have been on the list and that the PGA has a responsibility to make sure the substances they ban are proven to contain PEDS.

Despite the fact I don't like Vijay, I believe he's justified, especially given the PGA decision to remove deer antler spray off their banned list.

I see your point. BUT don't you think Vijay should have gone to the Tour before he used it, explained that it is not a PEDS according to the various drug administrative agencies, and received clearance before using it?

Basically, he said, "eff the Tour, I'm using it," and then sues after the Tour clears him of sanctions.

He is no innocent lamb, and neither is the Tour. Vijay seems like the bigger jerk. Plus, he contrives a controversy at the Players for his amusement and revenge. It does not clear his name. It only spotlights what he did. He, his attorneys, and the Tour could have cleared him in a more positive way.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

If the spray was on the forbidden list when Vijay used it, then he was in the wrong.  The fact that they took it off the list later is irrelevant, IMO.

If he knew it was on the list and still used it, then he knowing broke the rules.  If he didnt know it was on the list and used it, then ignorance is no excuse for not following the rules.

It would certainly seem that Vijay is being a jerk here but this wouldnt exactly be the first time that you could say Vijay is being a jerk.

  • Upvote 1

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Have to agree. There is fault on both sides but at the time Vijay used the deer antler spray it was banned. In my mind, that constitutes a rules violation.

  • Upvote 1

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by MPtheKid

Have to agree. There is fault on both sides but at the time Vijay used the deer antler spray it was banned. In my mind, that constitutes a rules violation.

My thoughts exactly.

Ron :nike: GOLF Embracing my Angry Black Male :mad:

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Vijay and Tiger both got in trouble for being conversational guys and talking to people.

In his initial comment to the press on the deer stuff, Vijay indicated he was worried and bothered by the "deer antler" thing. And, the evidence came to light from his own words, not the testing specified in PGA substance-control policies.

Tiger did not get into trouble on the drop at No. 15 Augusta when the shot was reviewed during the round. The penalty arose after he told a reporter that that evening that he "may have moved back a yard or two" from the original spot.

In the past, baseball and football players have drawn criticism because they wouldn't talk to the press. In today's kingdom of golf, dodging the press might gain traction as an effective risk-management tool.

So, I think Vijay was justified in the suit. The PGA needs to adhere to its policies, which would be easier to do if they were rewritten for clarity.

  • Upvote 1

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

Why bring Tiger into this thread?  This has nothing to do with him.

Vijay's suit is frivolous.  It was banned when he took the spray.

Scott

Titleist, Edel, Scotty Cameron Putter, Snell - AimPoint - Evolvr - MirrorVision

My Swing Thread

boogielicious - Adjective describing the perfect surf wave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

They should drug test everyone on tour. If they sanctioned him for admitting something to the press then that is just plain wrong. Hey Vijay, just tell them you lied and never used that chit. Prove it. Have Tiger piss in a cup before every match. If they won't do that then they are cheating too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by thanw

They should drug test everyone on tour. If they sanctioned him for admitting something to the press then that is just plain wrong. Hey Vijay, just tell them you lied and never used that chit. Prove it. Have Tiger piss in a cup before every match. If they won't do that then they are cheating too.

From the story below:

In the case of the tour's drug testing policy, however, a positive test for performance-enhancing substances is to be disclosed and discipline announced. In Singh's case, he did not fail a drug test but rather conceded that he took a substance, deer-antler spray, that may or may not contain IGF-1, a banned substance that is similar to HGH.

The tour treats an admission the same as it would a failed drug test, but the question concerns whether or not the deer-antler spray Singh took contains the banned substance.

Presumably -- and there is no way to know for sure -- the tour is going through a process of testing the substance. It could have issued a penalty to Singh that he is appealing, or perhaps nothing has happened yet. The tour has only acknowledged that it is investigating.

Singh is permitted to play while the process drags on -- and to be fair, the tour's drug testing policy does have an appeal avenue that should not be dismissed -- but depending on the outcome, all of his results since he acknowledged taking the substance could be voided.

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9053937/vijay-singh-pga-tour-playing-quiet-game-anti-doping-policy-golf

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

VJ is a jerk, he should have known what was on the banned substance list. (whether it should have been banned is irrelevant ). That said, unless he failed a drug test, there should be no case against him. The tour has enough money to drug test each and every member of the tour prior to the start of the season and throughout the season, for that matter, every professional sport should be testing all players multiple times per season. This seems a little drastic, but its the only way to restore the integrity of the sport.

What's in the Titleist  carry bag:
Driver: Titleist 910 D2,  Motore Speeder VC 6.0 shaft, 1" long, set to A1
Fairway Wood: Titleist 910 F, set to B4 Hybrid: Titleist 910 H, set to B4
Irons: Titleist AP2 710 4-9  Project X shafts  Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM4 46deg, C-C 50, 54, & 60deg.
Putter: Scotty Cameron NewPort 2.5 Glove: Titleist Ball: Titleist ProV1x  RangeFinder: Bushnell V2

Towel: Players Towel   Eyewear: SunDog H EVO  On Twitter -- @BrianBrown13

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I'd love to know what his reasoning is. It's not like his reputation is the best and this won't help. Seems like his handlers would just want it to go away. I don't care but it's definitely deserving of a WTF.

Dave :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Vijay is making it sound like the PGA Tour is responsible for him looking bad.  What he doesn't realize is he's the one who is responsible.

1.  PGA Tour doesn't create their own list or do any research.  They simply use the WADA list and follow WADA guidelines as required for addition to the Olympic games.

2.  The PGA Tour issued a statement last year warning players of Deer Antler Spray and the fact that it contains IGF-1, a banned substance on the WADA list.

3.  Vijay's caddie talked him into buying $9,000 worth of crap from the maker of SWATS, including the spray, even after being warned by the PGA Tour not to use it.

4.  Vijay used the spray regularly and then admitted to doing it publicly, knowing it was on the PGA Tour banned substance list.

5.  Vijay had the spray tested at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab and the spray was found to contain IGF-1.

6.  The ONLY reason the PGA Tour dropped his suspension was because of advice from the WADA about Vijay's specific case.  IGF-1 is still on the 2013 WADA prohibited list.
7.  Vijay is suing the PGA Tour because he doesn't like the WADA list (even though the PGA Tour is required to use this list if they want to be added to the Olympics).

8.  Vijay's lawyer has now made a statement that claims that Deer Antler Spray does NOT contain IGF-1 and he blames the PGA Tour for not testing the spray themselves (even though Vijay already had the test done at UCLA and it showed that it DOES contain IGF-1).

The PGA Tour has done very little, and has said very little about Vijay.  Matter of fact, we were yelling because they wouldn't talk more about the case and what they might do.  Any negative press that Vijay got over this is his own damn fault.  He got suckered by a snake-oil salesman, blew $9,000 on the advice of his caddie, apparently can't read (since he claims he never saw IGF-1 on any of the product literature), and now is suing the PGA Tour because they're using a WADA list.

Oh, lets not forget that the money wasted on this lawsuit is coming from the PGA Tour pensions, according to what was said on the Golf Channel this morning.

If we want golf in the Olympics, we have to follow WADA guidelines.  Period.  No compromise.  The NHL is already getting heat from the WADA over their testing program.  The NFL uses the WADA standard (reluctantly) too.  WADA is the international standard for PED enforcement.  If the PGA Tour was using any other agency, or tried to implement their own medical research program, I'd seriously worry.  It's not their job.  They're a sports organization, not a team of medical experts.

It bugs me that there's a guy in the hall of fame who behaves this way toward the sport, when I think the PGA Tour was GENEROUS in lifting his suspension and grandfathering him.  Vijay was given plenty of warning about IGF-1 and continued to buy it and use it.  If you get caught for going 40mph in a 30mph zone, and a few months later they raise the speed limit there to 40mph, you don't get to appeal and have your violation deleted from the books.  Rules are posted.  Violate them and you should get punished whether you agree with them or not.  It's pretty simple.  Not sure why following posted rules seems to be such a big problem for people.  If you don't like the rules, you shouldn't have signed the paper saying you agree to abide by the rules.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Hard to believe this is what Vijay thinks he needs to do to regain the lost respect.  He needs to fire whomever is advising him on PR matters.

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9254013/vijay-singh-sues-pga-tour-handling-deer-antler-spray-case

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Originally Posted by dave67az

Vijay is making it sound like the PGA Tour is responsible for him looking bad.  What he doesn't realize is he's the one who is responsible.

1.  PGA Tour doesn't create their own list or do any research.  They simply use the WADA list and follow WADA guidelines as required for addition to the Olympic games.

2.  The PGA Tour issued a statement last year warning players of Deer Antler Spray and the fact that it contains IGF-1, a banned substance on the WADA list.

3.  Vijay's caddie talked him into buying $9,000 worth of crap from the maker of SWATS, including the spray, even after being warned by the PGA Tour not to use it.

4.  Vijay used the spray regularly and then admitted to doing it publicly, knowing it was on the PGA Tour banned substance list.

5.  Vijay had the spray tested at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab and the spray was found to contain IGF-1.

6.  The ONLY reason the PGA Tour dropped his suspension was because of advice from the WADA about Vijay's specific case.  IGF-1 is still on the 2013 WADA prohibited list.

7.  Vijay is suing the PGA Tour because he doesn't like the WADA list (even though the PGA Tour is required to use this list if they want to be added to the Olympics).

8.  Vijay's lawyer has now made a statement that claims that Deer Antler Spray does NOT contain IGF-1 and he blames the PGA Tour for not testing the spray themselves (even though Vijay already had the test done at UCLA and it showed that it DOES contain IGF-1).

The PGA Tour has done very little, and has said very little about Vijay.  Matter of fact, we were yelling because they wouldn't talk more about the case and what they might do.  Any negative press that Vijay got over this is his own damn fault.  He got suckered by a snake-oil salesman, blew $9,000 on the advice of his caddie, apparently can't read (since he claims he never saw IGF-1 on any of the product literature), and now is suing the PGA Tour because they're using a WADA list.

Oh, lets not forget that the money wasted on this lawsuit is coming from the PGA Tour pensions, according to what was said on the Golf Channel this morning.

If we want golf in the Olympics, we have to follow WADA guidelines.  Period.  No compromise.  The NHL is already getting heat from the WADA over their testing program.  The NFL uses the WADA standard (reluctantly) too.  WADA is the international standard for PED enforcement.  If the PGA Tour was using any other agency, or tried to implement their own medical research program, I'd seriously worry.  It's not their job.  They're a sports organization, not a team of medical experts.

It bugs me that there's a guy in the hall of fame who behaves this way toward the sport, when I think the PGA Tour was GENEROUS in lifting his suspension and grandfathering him.  Vijay was given plenty of warning about IGF-1 and continued to buy it and use it.  If you get caught for going 40mph in a 30mph zone, and a few months later they raise the speed limit there to 40mph, you don't get to appeal and have your violation deleted from the books.  Rules are posted.  Violate them and you should get punished whether you agree with them or not.  It's pretty simple.  Not sure why following posted rules seems to be such a big problem for people.  If you don't like the rules, you shouldn't have signed the paper saying you agree to abide by the rules.

Let me guess ... you're in the Camp stating that Vijay is a JERK.

Agreed.

  • Upvote 1

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I'll vote jerk on this one.  When all the dust settled, clearly the PGA went out of their way to try to protect him and to do as much of the process behind closed doors as they could get away with.

Bill - 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3050 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • Day 76 - Pretty sore today, so I opted for putting over my Stack session. Primary focus was on starting line, as my putting has been pretty poor this year. 
    • Been a bit of delay in updates but I needed to come back east as my mom's health has taken a serious turn for the worse. In a 3 day span we learned she had a tumor to she has stage 4 cancer and stopped eating and drinking for the most part. She has had a rough 3 months but certainly didn't think we'd be at the point of setting up hospice for her. My mom was never into any sports really other than following the Red Sox because my dad was a big fan. She always cared about what we were involved in including asking about how golf went.  I have kept up with my 5 minutes of daily practice and will go to the gym here in NH tomorrow morning. Despite the somber nature of this trip my family has commented more than a few times about my weight loss so it's important to me to keep it up. I know my mom always wanted us happy in whatever we did so I'll continue with my fitness journey keeping that in mind. 
    • Day 109- Putting drills on a putting green for 20 minutes. 
    • Day 252: did a stack session. Did some slow rehearsal swings during breaks. 
    • Day 82: 3/18/24 Tried a Stack session but could not certify my warmup. Finished with indoor chips and putting. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...