What's happened
Malaysian golfer Gavin Green received a three-month ban from the European Tour for testing positive for a prohibited substance in an herbal supplement. The suspension is retrospective from December 5, 2025, and Green has been disqualified from the Danish Golf Championship where the test was conducted. He has cooperated fully and accepted the ban.
What's behind the headline?
The case underscores the ongoing challenge of doping regulation in professional sports, especially with herbal supplements that may contain prohibited substances. Green's full cooperation and acceptance of the suspension suggest a lack of malicious intent, but it raises questions about athlete awareness and supplement regulation. The retrospective disqualification from the Danish event emphasizes the tour's strict enforcement. This incident may prompt increased education for players on supplement use and stricter testing protocols. The timing of the announcement, shortly after Green's last appearance, indicates the tour's commitment to maintaining integrity, but also highlights the difficulty of monitoring herbal products that are widely available in Asia. Overall, this case will likely lead to more rigorous athlete education and possibly tighter regulations on supplement imports to prevent similar incidents.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports that Green tested positive for a prohibited substance in an herbal supplement taken as therapy, with the suspension starting retrospectively from December 5, 2025. AP News confirms Green's cooperation and the disqualification from the Danish Championship, noting his ranking and tournament history. Both sources emphasize Green's acceptance of the suspension and the tour's stance on maintaining doping integrity, though The Scotsman provides more detail on the supplement's availability in Asia and the context of the ban. The timing and transparency of the European Tour's announcement reflect a focus on fairness and athlete accountability, contrasting with broader concerns about supplement regulation in professional sports.
How we got here
Green, ranked No. 554, took a herbal supplement available in Asia for a medical condition. He was tested at the Danish Golf Championship in August 2025, where he finished tied for 40th. The European Tour enforces strict anti-doping policies, and Green's case highlights the risks of unregulated supplements.
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