Trey Mullinax has been handed a six-month suspension after violating the PGA Tour’s anti-doping policy, bringing an unexpected setback to a career that has already seen its share of challenges. The 34-year-old golfer confirmed the suspension in a statement released Wednesday, explaining that the positive test stemmed from a medication he has used for a medical condition dating back to his college years.
According to Mullinax, the issue was not an attempt to gain an advantage on the course but a failure to follow the PGA Tour’s approval process for medications covered under its anti-doping rules. He acknowledged that responsibility rested entirely with him. “My lack of knowledge is not an excuse,” Mullinax said. “It was my responsibility to know the rules before taking any medication, and I failed to do so.”
Mullinax Accepts Responsibility
Mullinax also emphasized that performance enhancement was never his intention. “I want to be absolutely clear: I have never taken any substance with the intention of gaining a competitive advantage. Anyone who knows me knows how much I respect this game and the values it represents.”
The PGA Tour announced the suspension but did not disclose the specific substance involved or additional details surrounding the positive test. Under its anti-doping program, the tour follows standards established by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and players are responsible for ensuring that any medication they take complies with those rules or receives the necessary therapeutic exemption.
Mullinax is believed to be the ninth player suspended since the PGA Tour introduced drug testing in 2008. He is also the first player to receive such a suspension since Byeong Hun An in October 2023. In that case, An explained that he had taken an over-the-counter cough syrup purchased in South Korea that contained a prohibited substance.
PGA Suspension Comes at Difficult Time
For Mullinax, the suspension comes during a difficult stretch in his career. After finishing 150th in last year’s FedEx Cup standings, he entered 2026 with only conditional PGA Tour status. His competitive schedule has been limited, with just three starts during the spring, including one appearance on the Korn Ferry Tour. His most recent tournament was the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 27.
Despite his recent struggles, Mullinax has produced memorable moments on the PGA Tour. His lone victory came at the 2022 Barbasol Championship, where he captured his first tour title after years of working to establish himself at golf’s highest level. Earlier in his career, he also recorded his best major championship finish at the 2017 U.S. Open, ending the week tied for seventh.
Return Scheduled for 2027
The timing of the suspension means Mullinax will remain sidelined for the remainder of the current season. He is eligible to return on January 16, one week before the start of the 2027 PGA Tour season, allowing him to resume his career after serving the full six-month penalty.
While the PGA Tour has offered little additional information beyond confirming the violation, Mullinax’s own statement leaves little doubt about his position. He accepted responsibility for failing to comply with the tour’s procedures, acknowledged that ignorance of the rules was not a defense, and maintained that the medication was used solely to treat an existing medical condition rather than to improve his performance.
