Tiger Woods Used Performance-Enhancing Drugs, Say 24% Of Surveyed Golfers

24% of golfers believe Tiger Woods used "HGH or other performance-enhancing drugs," according to a poll of 71 professional golfers. Sports Illustrated and Golf.com published a survey of players on a battery of issues, many of which were related to Woods, and nearly a quarter of respondents believe the world's preeminent golfer is chemically enhancing his performance.

Last December, near the height of Woods' sex scandal, the New York Times published a report linking Woods to a controversial doctor who allegedly was caught carrying HGH at the U.S.-Canada border. Many felt that the article lacked any direct implication and was merely an attempt to cash in on the golfer's sex-fueled implosion.

In February, during his first public comments since his post-Thanksgiving car wreck, Woods forcefully denied using steroids or HGH. "Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance-enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false," he said.

Woods also led several other categories of the SI poll. 30% said he should have his own reality show, although his alleged mistresses (one of whom is reported to be aggressively pursuing a deal) evidently weren't on the ballot. He tied the lead for most underrated player on the PGA Tour. See the rest of the results here.

Quick Poll

Do you think Tiger Woods used PEDs?

Yes, look at those muscles!

No, there isn't any evidence.

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Comments

[fumes]

02:15 PM on 05/06/2010

it must be weed..

nothing helps your stroke like a toke!

[robofragglebot]

12:16 AM on 05/04/2010

A more accurate headline might read "Tiger Woods Used Performance-Enhancing Drugs, say 17 Unnamed Golfers"

[robofragglebot]

01:38 AM on 05/04/2010

I'm sorry, that should read "Tiger Woods Used Performance-Enhancing Drugs, say 17 Unnamed Golfers; 15 Golfers Own More Than 10 Pairs of Jeans"

[Fidel Kabassu]

04:17 PM on 05/03/2010

Tiger is finished right? he missed the cut because he didn't use steroids? Even if he retired today, he's still gonna be the best ever. Get used to it, because it is not the Caucasian's game anymore (it only was because they shut everyone else out) Once we get interested in a sport, you might as well forget about it. Just look at the Nba and Nfl.

Remember a time when they said minorities were not smart enough to be quarterbacks? And that they can't coach? well how is that working out for you now?. You've been insulated from the truth, and now you can't stomach it. I feel your pain though.

[KCMarq09]

12:25 AM on 05/04/2010

Only people who never watch golf make that argument. Woods still has to pass Nicklaus for anyone to make that argument (he still has never won a major when trailing in the final round). Though I dont doubt that he will. And how is it not the Caucasian's game anymore? Unless you're arguing Asian golfers you must really not be watching any golf.

Oh and good job of using only two sports to prove you, whoever that is, is going to take over every sport. You sound pretty racist, and your other posts sound like you really despise white people.

[Fidel Kabassu]

11:42 AM on 05/10/2010

Me Racist? that's funny. I do however despise racism. Don't let my responses about the GOP and Conservatives full you my friend. They just happen to all be Caucasian, i can't help that. I respect fair minded Caucasians and just so you know, half of them voted for our current President. What i can't stand is folks who clearly are stack in the past. There's only one reason they want to call into questions Tiger Woods dominance. If you don't know it, then you're one of them.

[FalstaffsMind]

11:07 AM on 05/03/2010

I think it's absurd to speculate. I highly doubt Tiger was juicing. He's actually on the lean side. His muscle development is owing to the fact he works out. When he first started on the tour, he was unique in that he lifted weights and did strength training in addition to practicing his stroke.

[smolensk-lies]

03:23 AM on 05/17/2010

...and you probably bought into the Tiger 'family man' image. too funny. cut your losses.

[petit chaton]

09:07 AM on 05/03/2010

Surveys!?! Pose a question, via any survey, and you'll get a response in both directions. Do it with someone in the media (like Tiger) and it becomes a more significant %. But without facts or evidence, it's meaningless. Hell, there's a large percentage of the population that believes Sarah Palin is brilliant. Go figure that one...but thankfully, there's no real evidence of that being true either, so that's meaningless as well. Show me proof of drugs and I'll throw stones at Tiger too. After all of these women coming out, my arm's tired for the moment anyway.

[Lohikaarme]

06:47 AM on 05/03/2010

Most likely that 24% is taking drugs and believe that most of the other players, including Tiger, are doing drugs. That survey is an example of the most unscientific and unreliable type of data collection and analysis. Sport Illustrated tends to do that all the time about just anything.

[PubicOption]

08:59 PM on 05/03/2010

Nah, most golfers head for a beer at the 19th hole after they leave the range. I doubt 24% are taking PEDs. Its more likely that the 24% who answered would have been HIGHER, but many are afraid to talk out against Woods, even in an "anonymous survey".

[trucap]

09:23 PM on 05/02/2010

does drug advance concentration ? thats the secret of golf game . power is secondary factor . what else , these people , would come up with ? lol.

[respected]

05:10 PM on 05/02/2010

100% if all fans believe all athletes use performance enhancing drugs.

[lmab]

03:55 PM on 05/02/2010

121 woman? Four hour erect*ons? Of course he used performance enhancing drugs.

[Nelson Montana]

02:53 PM on 05/02/2010

What performance are we talking about?

Seriously, steroids and HGH DO NOT INCREASE ABILITY. They increase STRENGTH -- in which case they're practically a non factor in golf, except that I guess a drive can go farther if you're stronger.

Because strength isn't so much of a factor in golf I never understood why men and women and seniors can;t all compete together. But I'm not a golfer so I'm just speculating.

[S1m0n]

06:21 PM on 05/02/2010

Actually, what steroids* do is make you heal faster so that you can train harder & more often. If you're training for strength you'll get stronger, but any repetitive training regimen that involves exertion runs the risk of small injuries, and would benefit from excellerated healing.

*Although the story specifies HGH and doesn't mention steroids at all.

[firelord5000]

02:35 PM on 05/02/2010

Did Tiger use PEDs? Probably. Did the pros who did this survey take PEDs? Most definitely. What we know is that Tiger is the most dominant golfer of the decade, and he was just as dominant at the age of 20 with far less lean muscle mass. When the guy at top is so far ahead of the curve, its the curve that uses PEDs first to try to catch up, eventually forcing the guy on top to do it, AKA Barry Bonds. Easily the greatest baseball player of past 20 years, a bonafide first round hall of famer back when he was with the pirates and carried like 50lbs less muscle. Then he sees Mcgwire/Sosa/Jose/Clemens roiding up, catching up/even surpassing him for some moments. What does he do? PEDs. He goes out and demolishes them all over again.

[Mahi Joe]

08:29 AM on 05/02/2010

Why would one need performance enhancing drugs for golf? Golf isn't really any type of endurance sport that would require that type of drug useage. This sounds more like a bunch of disgruntled golfers trying to enhance their own status by diminishing Woods with a bunch of phoney accusations based on what they "think" and not on what they "know".

[firelord5000]

02:32 PM on 05/02/2010

Actually, i'm pretty sure all of them have used some sort of PED.

You ask why? Well lets see, quick recovery, fast muscle mass, fast ability to get lean, increase strength etc etc.

[hattie7]

04:00 AM on 05/03/2010

Before this "query" is blown up as if it were some statistically valid survey, take another look at the "article" - 71 people (the tour has over 200 members), and of the 71, 24% or approximately 17 people said they thought he took PEDs. This continued attempt to denigrate Tiger's accomplishments are ridiculous. Dr.Galeta did not treat Tiger until following his surgery in 2008, reported October 2008. Therefore, you cannot defame Tiger and claim he did not win as many majors or tournaments as he had PRIOR to October 2008 when he was treated with blood plazma treatments. Enough of the spurious comments. The people who always hated Tiger are having a field day with these allegations. Tiger's people need to start filing some law suits, as these tales will eventually impact his ability to retain sponsors.

[ladyvader]

09:30 PM on 05/01/2010

I am not surprised if any athlete uses any type of PED. Anything will be used to gain an edge. If he did use, and I did say IF, then it would come as no surprise to me.

[cookerman45]

05:53 PM on 05/01/2010

not a chance.

[LCDTV]

02:20 PM on 05/01/2010

he was on the cover of some muscle mag and he definitely has man boobs.