Golf's on drugs is Player's sensational claim

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South African legend Player, 70, raised fears that Sunday's winner might be a cheat because of a failure by the sport to introduce random testing.

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Iron men: Woods and Rose practise alongside each other before tee-ing off together today

While leading figures in the game were quick to disagree, Player insisted that use of aids such as human growth hormone and steroids was rife.

He said: "I know some are doing it. We're dreaming if we think it's not going to come into golf. I'd say there's 10 guys taking something.

"I might be way out but it's not lower, it might be a hell of a lot more. One guy told me, and I took an oath prior to him telling me, what he did and I could see this massive change in him.

"Somebody else verified that others had done it. The greatest thing that the R&A and the PGA could do is to have tests at random."

Although he has a reputation as something of a loose cannon, his comments were extremely embarrassing coming just before the year's third major.

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Gary Player of South Africa addresses the media during previews to The 136th Open Championship at the Carnoustie Golf Club

It underlines that golf has been desperately slow in formulating a proper drugs policy for a highly-rewarding sport awash in which any kind of edge is sought.

This week, however, Tiger Woods said: "I really don't see anybody doing anything or hear of anybody doing anything."

Phil Mickelson added that he did not believe there "was even a remote chance" of such activities while Nick Faldo also insisted he was unaware of any drug abuse.

The R&A's Peter Dawson said: "We support random testing and The Open will fall into line with whatever drug testing regimen becomes the norm in professional golf."