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The Tour did not specify what substance Every
tested positive for and said it will have no further comment on
the suspension at this time. Every, who will be eligible to
return to competition on Jan. 7, 2020, said in a statement to
GolfChannel.com that he tested positive for cannabis.
"I have been prescribed cannabis for a mental health condition
by my physician whom has managed my medical care for 30 years,"
he told GolfChannel.com. "It has been determined that I am
neither an acceptable candidate to use prescription 'Z' class
drugs nor benzodiazepines.
"Additionally, these classes of drugs can be highly addictive
and harmful to the human body and mind. For me, cannabis has
proven to be, by far, the safest and most effective treatment."
The 35-year-old from Daytona Beach, Fla., who currently resides
in Jacksonville, is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, with the
most recent victory coming in 2015 when he repeated as the
Arnold Palmer Invitational champion. However, the former top-50
player has struggled with his game since, finishing the next
three years ranked 558th, 707th and 583rd.
Every has missed nine of 21 cuts in 2019, but did tie for second
at the AT&T Byron Nelson in May -- his best finish since that
2015 victory. After a string of three missed cuts and a
withdrawal in four events beginning with The Northern Trust to
kick off last season's FedEx Cup Playoffs, Every tied for 18th
at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and tied for 28th at
the Houston Open earlier this month.
Every is currently ranked 256th but is fully exempt for the
2019-20 PGA Tour season after qualifying for last season's
playoffs. He said he has "no choice but to accept this
suspension and move on," and will be eligible to return the week
of the Sony Open.
"I don't agree with it for many reasons, mainly for my overall
well-being, but I'm excited for what lies ahead in my life and
career," he told the GolfChannel.com. "Over the last few years I
have made massive strides and I know my best is still in front
of me. I can't wait to come back better than ever in January."
--Field Level Media
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