US TOUR: AT&T PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AMLee Westwood has been paired with Vijay Singh for the opening round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am in California today - assuming Singh plays.
Last Thursday, Fiji's former world number one pulled out of the Phoenix Open before he was due to tee off citing a back injury, just a day after admitting he had been using a deer antler spray found to contain a prohibited growth hormone.
His withdrawal had some people wondering if he had been suspended from the PGA Tour over the incident, but after practising for this week's event he was reported to be involved in talks with Tour commissioner Tim Finchem yesterday.
When the Fijian finished his session on the driving range, a journalist tried to speak to him but Singh refused to comment.
Singh, who turns 50 later this month but is still inside the game's top 100, admits having used the spray, but has stated he did not know its link to the prohibited substance IGF-1.
"At no time was I aware," he said in a statement. "I am absolutely shocked . . . and am angry that I have put myself in this position. I have been in contact with the PGA Tour and an co-operating filly with their review of this matter."
The Tour carries out drug-testing but does not take blood, and that is thought to be the only way to detect the banned IGF-1 hormone.
Westwood, now back as a member of the PGA Tour and living in Florida, has flown from Dubai - a 12-hour time difference - for his first appearance in the event since 2005.
The player, who finished joint fifth at the Omega Desert Classic, teams up with his father John in the pro-am competition, which last year saw Pádraig Harrington and JP McManus share the title.
Harrington came joint seventh in the individual event and is back now to try to improve on that in a line-up headed by defending champion and last week's winner Phil Mickelson.
The left-hander almost broke 60 last Thursday, but he has fond memories too of the closing 64 last year because it came as playing partner Tiger Woods was taking 75. Woods, who won at Torrey Pines a fortnight ago, is not there this week.
Harrington plays the opening round at Spyglass Hill - three courses are used - with Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello.
Pebble Beach The Lowdown
Course: Pebble Beach , Monterey Peninsula , Spyglass Hill
Prizemoney: €8.8m (€1.55m for the winner)
Lengths: Pebble Beach, 6,232 metres, par 72; Monterey Peninsula, 6,252 metres, par 70; Sypyglass Hill, 6,357 metres, par 72.
Field: 156
On TV: Live on Sky Sports from 8pm.
Weather forecast: Wind and showers for first two days and claerr, sunny skies for the weekend and breezes predicted to subside.
Last Year: Phil Mickelson shot a final round 64 to outscore Tiger Woods by 13 shots on the day and win by two.
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