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

[dave67az]

I keep hearing them say that WADA has said that IGF-1 isn't a banned substance.  I've checked all over the WADA site, uncluding press releases and updates, and IGF-1 is still on the list.  Does anyone have any idea where this story about WADA removing IGF-1 is originating from?

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

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.

"I don't think he said 'eff the tour, I'm using it."  Wasn't his claim that he didn't know it was viewed as a banned substance?

[mvmac]

Poll added

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

"I don't think he said 'eff the tour, I'm using it."  Wasn't his claim that he didn't know it was viewed as a banned substance?

At the same time, doesn't he have a duty to check on something called "Deer Antler Spray" and what it contains?

I mean, who sprays that into their body unless ...

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I mean, who sprays that into their body unless ...

I agree, Vijay should have had his people investigate the spray before he used it, and if it was on a banned substance list, then that is on him.

But I've tried it.  You simply spray it on your tongue.  It didn't do anything for me... And I only tried it because it was being promoted by the Ravens (I believe it was Ray Lewis) several years ago.  It was more of a curiosity thing than anything else.  And the spray was ~ $20 at the time.  So I thought why not?

[dave67az]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

At the same time, doesn't he have a duty to check on something called "Deer Antler Spray" and what it contains?

I mean, who sprays that into their body unless ...

He didn't need to check.

His caddie told him to do it.

He should sue his caddie.

[JaxGolfer1]

Can't wait to hear "Boy named Sue" around the 17th tee on Friday when Vijay Singh sticks a peg in the ground.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by dave67az

He didn't need to check.

His caddie told him to do it.

He should sue his caddie.

I'm curious, where are you getting your sources on the Caddy, and him dropping $9K on spray and other items from SWAT?  I haven't read a lot on this subject, but found your comments to be damning.  So that is why I ask.

[dave67az]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

I'm curious, where are you getting your sources on the Caddy, and him dropping $9K on spray and other items from SWAT?  I haven't read a lot on this subject, but found your comments to be damning.  So that is why I ask.

'Singh paid $9,000 in November to a company called Sports With Alternatives To Steroids (SWATS) and ordered the product. SI quoted Singh as saying that he was using it regularly. "Every couple of hours, every day,'' he said.' (http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/8897822/vijay-singh-admits-use-banned-substance-deer-antler-spray)

"In the complaint, Singh's lawyers say he started using deer antler spray in 2012 on the advice of his caddie, Tony Shepherd, to address knee and back troubles."

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

[Stretch]

While he's at it, he should sue the Asian Tour for not making it sufficiently clear to him that changing his scorecard after the round in order to make the cut might be frowned upon in certain other golfing circles. I'm sure the only reason he's not taking action there is that the statute of limitations has expired, darn it!

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by WUTiger

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.

+1. Saved me from typing my drawn-out opinion .

[mvmac]

I think these writers would vote for Jerk

Ron Sirak

Quote:

Lawyers for Singh said Wednesday they are suing the PGA Tour to "reclaim his reputation and hold the PGA TOUR responsible for its unwarranted effort to suspend Singh for his use of deer antler spray." The tour, not surprisingly, has no comment at this time.

By suing the tour, Singh is not only biting that hand that has fed him very well -- he has $67.5 million in career earnings, third all-time behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson -- he is sort of suing the other players who benefit from the tour and its events.

Bob Harig

Quote:

And so Singh picks this week to sue the PGA Tour?

It says more than a little something about the man, a Hall of Famer for goodness sake, to stick it to the tour on the eve of its signature event at the TPC Sawgrass, the place where the Players Championship begins on Thursday and where he will play in the event for the 21st time.

This is the same tour that, incredibly, let him slide without a penalty last week due to a technicality in its anti-doping policy. Putting the legal mumbo jumbo aside: Singh took a substance that was on the tour's banned list, one all players had been warned about; he admitted it in a magazine article; such admissions are deemed under the policy to be the same as failing a drug test; such failures can mean up to a year suspension.

Jason Sobel

Quote:

On most days when he isn’t competing in a tournament, Singh can be found methodically beating golf ball after golf ball on the TPC Sawgrass practice range, his hard-earned reputation harvested right here on PGA Tour property, the ostentatious clubhouse framing his background, commissioner Tim Finchem’s office just a few par 5s away. Not far down the road is the World Golf Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted seven years ago.

This is home for the Fiji native.

With his recent actions, Singh set his home ablaze.

"This is bull----," said one player, speaking on anonymity. "How many millions of dollars has he made on the PGA Tour? And then they let him off and he sues them? What a joke. I'd say more, but they'd probably suspend me."

When it's suggested that the Tour can't levy a punishment for freedom of speech, the player explained, "But I bet they'd try, since I don’t have 30-something wins."

[kaplack]

I guess Vijay still wants people to be reminded that he didn't like his score card so he lowered his own score.

Once a cheat and a jerk always one.

[newtogolf]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

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.

If the way you present is accurate then I'd agree with you.  The question is, did Vijay know when he used deer antler spray that it was a banned substance.  I got the impression he didn't, and the situation spun out of control once he admitted to using it.  I also agree he's not an innocent lamb, quite frankly I don't like him but I felt it was ridiculous that any golfer would be suspended for using deer antler spray.

Edit:

I voted Justified but I think he's a jerk overall.

[dave67az]

I wonder if those 56% who voted for him wish now they had voted for someone more deserving.

"Singh was elected last year with 56 percent of the vote, but deferred his induction because of a commitment to play overseas last year. He still got in because of a clause in the criteria that if no one received 65 percent the vote that year, the player with the most votes would be elected as long he got more than 50 percent."  (http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2644147)

[rowlf]

I have a soft spot for Vijay mainly due to his work ethic and getting to where is he today purely by his own. Nothing put on his plate. He was wrong to sue the PGA Tour and should have just let it go but I don't see how bringing up the scorecard incident is relevant in this case.

Unlike many privileged golfers, Vijay came from a pretty tough background and I can understand why he felt so vindictive about it.

[David in FL]

Jerk. That's all there is to it.

[grubby98]

I never liked him ever since he started winning tournaments on tour. I remember by grandpa telling me about him being a cheater and being banned from some other tour years ago. My answer is easy Jerk. He is lucky he didnt get banned completely from the tour. Im sure he wont be well liked among the playres.