Tiger Woods PED Rumors Retracted By Former Golf Pro; PGA Tour, Woods' Agent Condemn Claims

The PGA Tour and Tiger Woods’ representation ardently shot down accusations made by a former PGA player that Woods was not on an indefinite leave of absence, but really serving a month-long suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Dan Olsen, who hasn’t competed in a tour event since 2011, made the claims during a Michigan radio appearance on Friday, but retracted the comments on Monday.

Olsen had said in the appearance that a “credible person” told him Woods was suspended for some sort of PED, although it was not testosterone. He also said Woods used an untested Nike ball which gave him an advantage, and that Phil Mickelson had a serious gambling problem. Olsen completely recanted those claims and sparked condemnation from the PGA Tour, Nike and Woods’ agent.

“I retract the entire interview,” Olsen said in a statement on the website of the Michigan station WVFN. “My comments were ill-advised. I want to apologize to Nike, the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and [PGA Tour Commissioner] Tim Finchem.”

The PGA Tour responded to the retracted allegations on Monday, vehemently shooting down the allegations made in Olsen’s radio appearance.

"There is no truth whatsoever to these claims," said Ty Votaw, executive vice president of the PGA Tour, to reporters. "We categorically deny these allegations."

ESPN’s Bob Harig also pointed out that the PGA has said they are obligated to report a suspension for a failed PED test and that those bans are typically for much longer than just one month.

Woods has struggled with his game since returning after a layoff due to a back injury. The 39-year-old missed the cut at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after a second-round 82 and withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open. He then decided to take a break to work on his game. Woods has not yet commented directly on Olsen's comments, but his agent Mark Steinberg released a statement to the Golf Channel.

"[The claims are] absolutely, unequivocally and completely false," Steinberg said in the statement. "They are unsourced, unverified and completely ridiculous. The PGA Tour has confirmed that there is no truth to these claims."

Nike also denied the allegations in a statement, saying every ball Woods had ever used in competition had been properly tested and approved.

Olsen last played on tour at the 2011 PGA Championship, missing the cut in his lone event of the year. Olsen played regularly on tour for just one season (2004), playing in 31 events and making just 11 cuts. His best career finish is a tie for 12th at the 2004 Chrysler Classic of Tucson.