An Byeong-hun suspended for taking cough syrup containing banned substance

An Byeong-hun hits from the rough on the seventh hole during the third round of the St. Jude Championship in Memphis on Aug. 12. [AP/YONHAP]

Korean golfer An Byeong-hun has been suspended for three months for violating the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Policy after taking over-the-counter cough syrup that contained a banned substance.

The PGA Tour announced Thursday that An has been retroactively suspended from Aug. 31, making him available to play again from Dec. 1.

“An tested positive for a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) contained in a cough medicine available over the counter in his native Korea,” a statement from the office of the PGA commissioner said. “He has cooperated fully with the TOUR throughout the process and accepted his suspension.”

According to local reports, An used cough medicine from Korea without knowing that the medicine contained a substance prohibited by WADA.

An confirmed that he took the medicine unknowingly and will be more careful in the future in a statement shared on Instagram.

“In August, I was suffering from a head cold and cough,” An wrote. “As my symptoms worsened, my mother suggested I take a widely available medication from Korea that had helped her through a similar ailment.

“I took this medicine without checking its contents first only to later find that it contained a substance that is prohibited under the PGA Tour’s anti-doping program. It was the only time I used this medication and in no way did I take it to gain a competition advantage.

“I regret not being more thorough in my decision-making and take full responsibility for my actions. I’d like to thank the PGA Tour for supporting me during this process and look forward to returning to competition in the new year.”

An, known as Ben An in the United States, is a popular figure on the PGA Tour but is yet to pick up a win. He has four top-10 finishes this year, including tying for second at the Wyndham Championship in August, and currently ranks at No. 44 on the FedEx Cup ranking.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]