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Tiger suspended? “Whistleblower” retracts, apologizes

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In a radio-station interview on Friday, journeyman golf pro Dan Olsen said that Tiger Woods is serving a one-month suspension from the PGA Tour — a claim that the PGA Tour denied on Monday.

“There is no truth whatsoever to these claims,” said Ty Votaw, the executive vice president of the PGA Tour. “We categorically deny these allegations.”

Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg denied the claims as well.

[quote_box_center]”These claims are absolutely, unequivocally and completely false,” Steinberg said in a statement on Monday. “They are unsourced, unverified and completely ridiculous. The PGA Tour has confirmed that there is no truth to these claims.”[/quote_box_center]

On Friday, Olsen told 730AM The Game in Lansing, Mich., that “I heard he’s on a month’s suspension … it’s kind of a strong witness. It’s a credible person who is telling me this.”

Olsen retracted his statement on Monday.

[quote_box_center]”Everything I said on that radio interview was only my opinion and not based on any first-hand knowledge or facts,” Olsen told ESPN.com on Monday. “I want to make a full retraction to everything I said for the entire radio interview. And I apologize to Tiger, Nike, Phil (Mickelson), (commissioner) Tim Finchem and the PGA Tour.”[/quote_box_center]

Although he recanted his claims and apologized, Olsen, the 48-year old who’s made nine cuts on the PGA Tour throughout his career and hasn’t played on Tour since the 2011 PGA Championship, made strong allegations on Friday that would assuredly tarnish Woods’ career achievements if true.

[quote_box_center]“It’s not testosterone, but it’s something else,” Olsen said. “I think when it’s all said and done, he’s gonna surpass Lance Armstrong with infamy … They’re not even going to remember the women. The women are going to take a distant second place. You’re gonna talk about him with Lance Armstrong.”[/quote_box_center]

PGA Tour policy says that it will announce suspensions for performance enhancing drugs, which it did recently, but not for recreational drugs.

Olsen also claimed the Nike golf ball that Woods used in competition is not conforming.

[quote_box_center]”I would almost bet [the ball] hadn’t been tested,” he said. “So he’s really playing with — I’m not gonna say a cheater ball, because he has the help of the establishment, really — but he played a ball that nobody else could play.” [/quote_box_center]

Nike Golf disputed those claims on Monday, as well.

[quote_box_center]”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,” the company said in a statement.[/quote_box_center]

On Monday, Olsen also spoke about his own public perception moving forward.

“I’ll be looked at as just some crazy (expletive) nobody making accusations about Tiger,” Olsen said.

The PGA Tour, Woods’ agent and Nike have not publicly disputed that specific claim.

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

35 Comments

35 Comments

  1. THONG

    Mar 9, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Golf is now officially stupid!

  2. Russell Platt

    Mar 6, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Why did Olsen retract the statement, because he was probably threatened by the PGA that he would be banned from the senior tournament if he didn’t. If you think someone of Tiger’s character wouldn’t use HGH, what planet are you from? Really!!

    • Geoffrey Holland

      Mar 9, 2015 at 4:44 pm

      He’d have to have the game to qualify for the Senior Tour, and that’s highly unlikely.

  3. BustyMagoo

    Mar 4, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    To bad Tiger can’t sue the pants of that guy. The stuff that might turn up on Tiger during the trial might be too risky. Maybe he should just walk away and go into seclusion. It seems like he’s about to have a fall from grace, David Duval style. And I’m a fan of El Tigre. I’d like to see nothing more than for him to get back into form but his body seems wrecked. I wonder if young guys like McElroy will learn from Tigers mistakes in fitness, swing changes, etc.?

  4. Ponjo

    Mar 3, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    I would think that Tiger and his team will sue the backside off Olsen now. If they don’t will only add fuel to the fire

    • Robeli

      Mar 3, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Tiger will not sue – it will be the perfect opportunity to open Pandora’s box! Tiger AND PGA do not want that.

      • Fsubaseball21

        Mar 3, 2015 at 3:19 pm

        Some of you are spot on. A lawsuit opens all parties up to discovery and I can think of at least one person who would crumble in a deposition. It is a shame to watch guys that get off HGH. Their bodies just straight up fall apart.

      • Fred

        Mar 5, 2015 at 12:52 pm

        If Tiger’s camp were to go to sue, which it won’t, Olsen would be the defendant – the person on trial – not Tiger. Tiger would have no need to defend himself against Olsen’s admittedly falls allegations. Olsen has already stated that everything he said was BS, and only his opinion, and that there was/is no proof to back up the claims of the individual he got the info from. Very strange and stupid mistake on Olsen’s part. If no one had heard of him before, they sure as hell know who he is now. His life as he knew it before is over.

  5. Robeli

    Mar 3, 2015 at 11:01 am

    Within 2 years, then all of Tiger Woods will be revealed and he and Lance Armstrong will be mentioned in the same breath. Mark my words.

    • Yoda

      Mar 6, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      Rory and Lee Westwood have had similar transformations.

  6. Mike

    Mar 3, 2015 at 6:39 am

    I doubt the PGA wants to know the extent that performance enhancing drugs are being used by tour players. The truth would’t be good for public relations…i.e., Tour de France. Just look at pictures of PGA golfers while in school and then notice how fast they bulk up once on tour. Building muscle that fast just isn’t natural….

  7. Sargio_Gercia

    Mar 3, 2015 at 6:29 am

    They’ll be saying the moon landing was fake soon… Sonuva…

  8. Joe Golfer

    Mar 3, 2015 at 3:34 am

    Woods turned to a solid core ball while others were using wound balls, which covers the ball controversy.
    Personally, I suspect that Woods did use HGH during his peak years, but if the PGA honchos admitted that they knew, they’d have a lot of explaining to do.
    He had access to any top physician he wanted, and he chose Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian physician known for dispensing PED’s to professional athletes. After Galea’s trial, he was banned from practicing within the USA.
    So of all the physicians in the world, why would Tiger choose to seek out treatment from the one doctor notoriously known for supplying illegal performance drug enhancement to athletes?
    Woods used to show off his physique while wearing those taut-fitting mock turtleneck shirts. He spoke of training with Navy Seals (allegedly how he first injured his knee). He routinely outdrove his opponents by a long distance. He doesn’t look like that now.
    I don’t think Woods has used anything for the past few years, since testing and media scrutiny have become more prevalent.
    I think Woods would still have been the best golfer of his ear by far. I just don’t think he would have been quite as good as he was.

    • Brandon

      Mar 3, 2015 at 10:37 am

      HGH? Wow, as much as I love the game of golf, when you guys with no knowledge of gaining muscle and a balanced physique see a guy that keeps himself in shape, you automatically scream steroids or HGH. Tiger’s physique is easily attainable with hard work and a correct diet. Everyone talks about him as if he is Ronnie Coleman or Arnold. He is NOT bulky, he has a balanced physique. But I guess when you look at him compared to John Daly or the skinny guys who don’t take care of themselves, he looks like a roid user? Hilarious. Get in the gym and get off the WRX comment section, you lazy excuse for an athlete.

      • Joe Golfer

        Mar 3, 2015 at 7:35 pm

        Hey Brandon, thanks for using logic to make your statements, and also the insulting tone of your final comment.
        There will never be positive proof that he did or did not use HGH or anything else.
        I don’t know, but there probably weren’t any drug tests for HGH even taken back then as far as the PGA Tour goes?
        I mentioned HGH as opposed to steroids because he looked very cut as opposed to bulky, and specifically because Tiger used Dr. Galea..
        Dr. Galea, a physician who was well known even prior to Tiger, as Dr. Galea often used HGH with his patients and had already treated other pro athletes. There’s a good reason why Dr. Galea is banned from practicing within the United States after his legal trial ended badly for him.
        While we can’t prove that Tiger used, we can prove that Galea was dispensing it.
        It just seems odd that one would seek out the exact physician known for that, even if he was a PRP proponent, which Tiger used on his knee. Tiger could have used a different physician with a better reputation.
        No one is saying that Tiger didn’t work out extremely hard to earn that physique.
        It’s simply my opinion that he had a little help getting into that peak physical condition.
        We’re all entitled to an opinion, and one doesn’t need to resort to name calling to express it.
        Galea’s reputation preceded him.
        It’s a red flag, one that most athletes would choose to avoid, picking a different physician. Tiger could have gotten top notch treatment via Stanford, where he attended college, or Johns Hopkins or Mayo Clinic or any number of places.
        I wasn’t referring to the current status of Tiger.
        I was referring to the years when he was really ripped, so to speak, as far as fitness is concerned.
        Yes, you are correct that Tiger works very hard.
        You may note that I considered Tiger the best of his era. I mean that.
        I am not a Tiger hater.
        My opinion, and it is simply an opinion, is that all the circumstantial evidence would lead one to be suspicious.
        It is a shame that that other golfer went on the radio and spouted things that he couldn’t prove positively.

      • marcel

        Mar 5, 2015 at 5:15 pm

        Brandon you are mostly right – tiger’s physique is nothing too much – but here it is where you are wrong. same body shape can be achieved by weekend body builder on ‘roids vs similar shape of crossFit guy. now when you compare intensity of training of of these two and recovery times. in early ’20 of age recovery is easy… in your ’30 is harder and closer to your ’40 its nearly impossible to recover over night. Tiger however is an athlete and his swing could prove it that there is lots of hard work behind it (not just show off) and here comes the question of recovery time. Look at Greg Norman – considered a choker – i dont this he was – i really believe his body could not get going 4 days.
        I am avid golfer that exercises a lot, 36yo. y’day i have done 200 kettlebell swings 12kg, 100 squats w 20kg and 100 push ups on rings… do i feel pain this morning – yes i do. would i be able to play right now… i dont think i could be comfortable on the golf course right now.

      • Regis

        Mar 5, 2015 at 8:30 pm

        Physique is exactly like A-Rods. Just Saying

  9. Scooter McGavin

    Mar 2, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    So a nobody golf pro goes on the radio spouting a bunch of ridiculous stuff, later says he didn’t mean it and all but confesses to lying about the whole thing, and the media, including GolfWRX decides to give both him and the drivel he expelled legitimacy by writing articles about it? Are you serious?

    • Tony

      Mar 3, 2015 at 5:47 am

      If you don’t want to hear about current events, factual or rumour, you can always turn off your TV, computer and radio.

      Let the rest of us hear information and make a decision ourselves as to whether it’s real or not

      • MLH

        Mar 3, 2015 at 7:06 am

        What is there to make a decision on? And you’re missing the point, which is the “story” shouldn’t have made the cut because it was fabricated. Without facts there is nothing and only fools make decisions using data that has no content or substance. Get real.

  10. adam

    Mar 2, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Excessive secrecy on the part of the PGA will breed these sorts of rumors/suspicions. The DJ case illustrative. The fact that they possibly hid the truth about DJ makes every future whisper potentially credible.

    I don’t believe Tiger had a failed drug test. If he did, then the bad back act at Torrey Pines was truly Oscar worthy. As to the nonconforming ball, that’s a real hoot. A spectator will come into possession of the ball the first time he hits it OB, or a grounds crew member will fish one out of the water, and then the jig will be up. No way, no how.

  11. Steve

    Mar 2, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    If don’t think tiger juiced, then you are naive. But he is to big to be taken to the wood shed. The game needs him. Maybe when Tiger is no use any more the real truth will come out.

    • Kyle

      Mar 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm

      I don’t think he juiced. What proof is there? What motive is there? There’s a reason golfers don’t juice. It’s not going to help your swing.

      • BigBoy

        Mar 2, 2015 at 8:43 pm

        Juice is not only for getting bigger, it can be used for quicker recovery for injury.

        • rgb

          Mar 2, 2015 at 10:31 pm

          Well that’s sure not working then.

          • J.R.

            Mar 3, 2015 at 2:07 am

            It’s not referring to Tiger’s current physical status, now that the tour actually does test for PED’s. It’s been suspected for a long time that Tiger used Human Growth Hormone (HGH) during his peak years, back when he routinely outdrove almost everyone on tour. You may recall how buff he looked back in the days when he wore those tight fitting mock turtleneck shirts, trained with Navy Seals, etc. Tiger used the Canadian doctor, Dr. Anthony Galea, who is well known for supplying PED’s, and has even since been banned from any practice within the United States. He’d been known to supply for other athletes (mostly baseball).
            HGH doesn’t just give you stronger muscle. It helps with endurance, reflexes, etc., anything that keeps one in top physical condition.
            Of all the doctors in the world that Tiger could have used, why else would he have regularly sought treatment from a specific PED pushing physician in Canada, nowhere near his home in Florida? Dr. Galea’s reputation was well known, and that’s why he was sought out. Tiger likely did use HGH back then, but it would be damaging to the PGA Tour honchos if it were to come out that they turned a blind eye to the issue.
            As for the “golf ball” issue, that’s likely a load of bunk.
            Tiger switched to a solid core ball long before other pros did. Their wound balls simply weren’t as consistent.
            All that said, this journeyman golfer is likely correct about his self assessment after his comments about a suspension were revealed to be false.

  12. CW

    Mar 2, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Now if the media would just stop giving hearsay claims attention and do their job verifying facts, we wouldn’t have these issues.

    • Birdeez

      Mar 2, 2015 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you for saying what I’ve been thinking. Media is worst today. The fact any media outlet gave this any attention shows how low they’ll stoop to gain ratings over verifying facts and making sure a story is credible.

  13. rgb

    Mar 2, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    ““I’ll be looked at as just some crazy (expletive) nobody making accusations about Tiger,” Olsen said.”

    Well, he got that right.

  14. Tom Duckworth

    Mar 2, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    What a low life anybody that wants some attention or to make some kind of name for themselves
    just has to attack Tiger Woods. I’m not his biggest fan but I get sick of these people.

  15. graymulligan

    Mar 2, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Every time I read something like this, I think it’s too crazy, and that it’s nonsense.

    And then I remember Jose Canseco’s book…and Lance’s denials…and on, and on, and on. I realize I have no idea what’s true and what isn’t anymore.

    • RG

      Mar 2, 2015 at 4:17 pm

      My thoughts exactly, only I think if your going to make allegations like these you had better be able to back it up.

      • 1badbadger

        Mar 6, 2015 at 11:22 pm

        I know several Tour players, and over the years they have told me stories (not related to this particular incident) about life on Tour that would make your jaw drop. Some were funny, some were shocking, but it was stuff that never made it into the news. Some stories involved very prominent players, and was either witnessed first hand or came from sources who witnessed it. I believe these stories, but I would have no way to back them up with any kind of proof, but things happen that most people don’t hear about.

    • cody

      Mar 2, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      i completely agree. i dont see how in golf you could be compared to Lance but, who really knows anymore. Anything is possible. The PGA covered up D johnson drug rehab.

      • Snowman2134

        Mar 2, 2015 at 7:48 pm

        What proof do you have? I would love to see where DJ’s drug issues were substantiated outside of tabloid journalist on social media. Mr. Johnson made clear his issues with alcohol, and stated his intention to modify his behavior through treatment. Please enlighten us with your irrefutable evidence of DJ’s cocaine issue

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Tour Rundown: Bend, but don’t break

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I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear

OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.

LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break

Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.

Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.

On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.

On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.

On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.

PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home

Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.

On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.

Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?

Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.

Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?

PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates

Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.

Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.

Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.

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Photos from the 2025 Wyndham Championship

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GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.

Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.

Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.

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See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

 

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BK’s Breakdowns: Kurt Kitayama’s Winning WITB, 3M Open

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Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.

Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 TX

3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees, A3 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX

7-wood: Titleist GT1 (21 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS (with Mindset)

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