Golfer slapped with DP World Tour ban for failing doping test

Malaysian golfer Gavin Green has received a three-month suspension from the DP World Tour after testing positive for a banned substance.

The European Tour Group confirmed on Tuesday that the 32-year-old had breached its anti-doping policy by taking a herbal supplement to treat an undisclosed medical condition.

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According to the tour, Green took the doping control test at the Danish Golf Championship in August.

As a result, the golfer has been retrospectively disqualified from the event, where he finished tied-for-40th.

With his ban backdated to December 5, Green will be allowed to return to competition from March 5.

A European Tour Group statement read: “Green tested positive for a prohibited substance contained in an herbal supplement, available in Asia, which he took as a therapeutic treatment to treat a medical condition.

“His suspension commenced retrospectively from December 5, 2025, meaning he is eligible to return to competition on March 5, 2026.

“He has also been disqualified retrospectively from the 2025 Danish Golf Championship, the tournament where the doping control test was taken.

“Green has cooperated fully with the Tour throughout the process and accepted the suspension.

“The Tour will have no further comment on the suspension at this time.”

With Green facing just over two months away from competition, he may well target an immediate return to action after serving his ban.

The Joburg Open – an event co-sanctioned by the European Tour –  gets underway on March 5, the same day his suspension is lifted

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Who is Gavin Green?

Green turned professional in 2015 and is currently ranked 554 in the golf world rankings.

He currently has nine pro wins in total, with one coming on the Asian Tour at the 2017 Mercuries Taiwan Masters and the rest coming on the Asian Development Tour or the Professional Golf of Malaysia Tour.

The University of New Mexico alumni has made just one major appearance to date, qualifying for the 2018 Open Championship.

He made the cut at Carnoustie, Scotland, before finishing T61st in the tournament, which was won by Francesco Molinari.

Green has also enjoyed some memorable moments on the Olympic stage.

He has represented Malaysia at the last three Summer Games, finishing 47th at Rio 2016, T57th in Tokyo in 2020 and 33rd at the most recent Paris 2024 Olympics.

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The Asian golfer became the first Malaysian to top the Asian Tour Order of Merit after a remarkable 2017 campaign, which earned him promotion to the European Tour. 

However, Green is yet to win a tournament on the circuit, now known as the DP World Tour.

His last appearance came at the Genesis Championship in South Korea in October, where he failed to make the cut.