Peter Dawson, the chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A) organisers, said the players at the July 16-19 event at Turnberry would be subject to the same anti-doping procedures that have been taking place for the past year on the main world tours.

 

He said: "The players are already well accustomed to drug testing and will look at this as just another week on tour

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"We will be using the European Tour's anti-doping procedures which are well tried and tested.

 

"The Royal & Ancient thoroughly supports the anti-doping policies at golf events."

 

The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) introduced drugs testing in January 2008 after allegations from several players, most notably South African legend Gary Player, that a number of players had been using banned performance-enhancing substances.

 

The introduction of drugs testing at the Open for the first time this year is a timely reminder to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the game has adopted global standards on anti-doping.

 

The sport is one of the favourites to be added to the programme for 2016.

 

It is bidding against baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, squash and softball.