Bubba Blasts Deer Antler Spray User Vijay

Reigning US Masters champion Bubba Watson has hit out at former Augusta victor Vijay Singh over his admission about using deer antler spray, an illegal substance.

Watson warmed-up for his tilt at this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open by taking a major swipe at the vastly experienced Fijian, also in the Phoenix field.

“I think we should check them for mental problems if they’re taking deer antler spray,” said Bubba. “It’s sad that people do stuff like that. It’s sad that people would put some weird thing like that in their body.

“I would never put something named that in my body,” he stressed. “I would never do that. But I don’t live and die by golf so if I can’t make it on the PGA Tour, I’m never going to go to deer antler spray to try to help me. I’d just have to find another job.

“It’s just sad that people live and die by their sport and resort to such tactics in an attempt they have to try and better themselves with deer antler spray.

“Who’s the guy that thought of that (deer antler spray) anyway? He might have been on something too!”

The spray is on golf’s banned list and contains IGF-1, which is described in promotional material as a “natural anabolic hormone that stimulates muscle growth.”

Surprise, surprise since the sensational news broke nothing was seen of Singh at TPC Scottsdale yesterday and understandably there was plenty of chatter on the grapevine though many players preferred to keep their comments and thoughts to themselves.

An exception was emerging US star Harris English who told TG: “It’s pretty unfortunate that he (Singh) obviously thought it was a good thing for his body but didn’t realise it was a banned substance.

“It sucks he didn’t get better information. He wasn’t trying to cheat, he just thought he’d found a product that helped him and his body to function better. I’m just surprised that he wasn’t better informed.

Singh issued a statement saying: “While I have used deer antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour anti-doping policy.

“In fact, when I first received this product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and didn’t see any prohibited substances.

“I am absolutely shocked that deer antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position.

“I’ve been in contact with the PGA Tour and am co-operating fully with their review of this matter. I will not be commenting further at this time.”