PGA

• Barron used beta-blocker and testosterone

  
  

  Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Doug Barron's one-year suspension from the PGA Tourcameafter the golfertested positive for a beta-blocker and testosterone, according to court documents.

  In documents filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Memphis, it was revealed that the positive tests came during the St. Jude Classic on June 11.

  Barron, the first player to receive a suspension since testing began in July 2008, has sued the PGA Tour in an attempt to lift it. The case was being heard Friday.

  Court documents show that Barron had previously sought -- and was denied -- therapeuticuseexemptionsfor propranolol,thebeta-blocker,and testosterone. The exemptions allow players to use prohibited substances on the basis of their need to treat an illness or condition.

  Barron, who has battled injury in a journeyman career on the PGA and Nationwide Tours, did not dispute the results of his positive tests.

  The PGA Tour declared in the court documents that Barron played the St. Jude Classic "with knowledge that he could not use propranolol or testosterone." Barron missed the cut in Memphis, his only start on the PGA Tour in 2009.

  His suspension was announced November 2, shocking many golf observers, and Barron released a statement through the PGA Tour to "apologize for any negative perception of the tour or its players resulting from my suspension." "I want my fellow tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on tour," Barron said in the statement.

  Tour commissioner Tim Finchem had informed Barron 13 days earlier of his suspension, according to the court documents. Finchem told Barron in a written decision October 20 that he was banned "based upon his blatant and intentional use of two different prohibited substances despite the denial of his therapeutic use exemption application," the documents say.

  The 40-year-old Barron did not appeal his suspension, which will last until October 20 of next year, but is now suing to lift it.

  He hasn't played full-time on the PGA Tour since 2006, when he won $388,226 in 28 starts. Barron played four times on the Nationwide Tour this year without making a cut.

  His last full season on any circuit came in 2008 on the Nationwide Tour, where he made just five cuts in 17 events and took home $33,446 in prize money.

  11/13 13:33:03 ET