Vijay Singh and PGA Tour reach settlement over anti-doping suspension

Vijay Singh and the PGA Tour have reached a settlement on the Fijian's anti-doping suspension that had drawn on for more than five years.

Singh's legal battle with the PGA Tour had been going on since May 2013 when a report in Sports Illustrated claimed he had taken deer-antler spray that contained a growth hormone called IGF-1, which is on the PGA Tour's list of banned substances.

The PGA Tour rescinded Singh's suspension but then the 34-time PGA Tour winner filed the suit in New York Supreme Court claiing the Tour recklessly adminstered and implemented its anti-doping program.

“As a result of the PGA Tour’s action, Singh has been labeled by the PGA Tour, media, some fellow golfers and fans as someone who intentionally took a banned substance in an effort to gain a competitive advantage,” the initial lawsuit read.

After five and half years of legal wrangling from both sides, the PGA Tour and Singh have now reached a settlement - albeit no specifics have been disclosed by either party.

“The PGA Tour and Vijay Singh are pleased to announce that we have resolved our prior dispute,” Tuesday’s statement read. “The settlement reflects our mutual commitment to look to the future as we put this matter behind us.

“The PGA Tour recognises that Vijay is one of the hardest working golfers ever to play the game, and does not believe that he intended to gain an unfair advantage over his fellow competitors in this matter.

“Vijay fully supports the PGA Tour’s anti-doping program and all efforts to protect the integrity of the game that he loves so much.”

Singh played in 10 PGA Tour events and 20 on the Champions Tour, where he ended in his year in style when closing with a 61 to land the season-ending Charles Schwab Championship.