Vijay Singh admits using deer antler spray, says he didn’t know it was a banned substance

Vijay Singh has admitted to taking a deer antler spray, which contains a substance banned by the PGA Tour, but the professional golfer says he didn’t do so intentionally.

“While I have used deer antler spray, at no time was I aware that it may contain a substance that is banned under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy,” Singh said in a statement released Wednesday in response to a Sports Illustrated report that the golfer has taken a banned substance. “In fact, when I first received the product, I reviewed the list of ingredients and did not see any prohibited substances.”

Singh was recently named in a SI report about a sports supplement company, Sports With Alternatives to Steroids, which claims to also have provided products for athletes including Singh and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

Lewis, in New Orleans for Sunday’s Super Bowl, called allegations that he took a banned substance to bolster his recovery from a torn triceps “the work of the devil.”

Deer antler spray, which Singh admits he has used, contains the banned substance IGF-1.

Singh said he has been in contact with the PGA Tour and is cooperating in its review. A PGA spokesman said the tour is “looking into the matter.”

According to the report, Singh paid $9,000 for the deer antler spray and other products in November.

“I am absolutely shocked that deer antler spray may contain a banned substance and am angry that I have put myself in this position,” Singh said.

Singh has 34 career PGA Tour victories as well as 13 European Tour wins.

ALSO:

Michael Phelps signs golf deal with Ping

Ray Lewis calls PED allegations ‘the work of the devil’

Ray Lewis denies using banned substance to hasten recovery

The Associated Press contributed to this report