Bhavik Patel of Bakersfield has been banned by the PGA Tour for one year after testing for performance-enhancing substances.
The 24-year-old Patel, who played at Fresno State, has competed in 33 Web.com Tour events in the last two seasons, with his best results a tie for sixth in the 2014 Chile Classic and solo sixth in the 2013 Colombia Championship.
“In an effort to overcome an injury, I made a lapse of judgment,” Patel, who will be eligible to return on Oct. 7, said in a statement. “I regret my decision but have learned from the experience and look forward to returning to competition.”
Patel is the second player to be suspended by the PGA Tour for a violation since its anti-doping program was launched in 2008.
Doug Barron was banned for a year in November 2009 for taking a performance-enhancing drug.
Matt Every was suspended by the PGA Tour for three months in 2010 for conduct unbecoming a professional after he and two others were arrested on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession in Iowa.
The charges against Every were dropped, but the PGA Tour suspension remained in place.
