PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA Tour said Doug Barron has been suspended one year for using a performance-enhancing drug. He is the first player to violate the doping policy since testing began in July 2008.

Barron has not played a full PGA Tour schedule since 2006 and competed only four times on the Nationwide Tour this year.

The 40-year-old golfer apologized Monday in a statement through the tour, saying he did not intend to gain an unfair advantage. The tour declined further comment.

Under its policy, the tour announces only when a player tests positive and the length of suspension. It does not say what drug was used.