The Italian Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday that it has suspended Italian golfer Alessandro Pissilli after failing a drug test.

Pissilli, who plays on the Italian pro tour, tested positive for the banned diuretic Finasteride at the Omnium National Championship on June 29.

Finasteride is sometimes used to treat hair loss in men but has been the subject of several doping cases recently, as it has also been used to mask steroid use.

In a statement released late Wednesday, Pissilli's local club in Florence defended him, stating that he had been using the drug for almost two years to treat a prostate problem and that he informed the authorities at the time of the test, that he had been taking the drug.

Several athletes recently have been suspended from their sports for using this drug and some of them have been cleared of any wrong doing.

We'll wait to see the results of further tests, but if Pissilli is found to have been using steroids he will face a two-year suspension.

What are your thoughts about drug testing and drug use in professional golf? 

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 4 OUT OF 4 COMMENTS From: Proffire 08/04/2007 17:09:44 I played with a guy the other day who cracked his first beer as we were leaving # 1 tee at 8.56 am.  He took a six pack (for himself) for the front nine and was finished them after his tee shot on #8.  Picked up another six pack for the back nine.  The more he drank the better he played and especially putted and this guy does this every day and is about a 2 handicap.  Sure wouldn't enhance my game but he says he can't play without alcohol in his system!!  Don't have any reasoning why it helped him but it sure did!! From: WILLMSU 08/03/2007 09:17:53 Jim, I don't think that use of drugs or any other substace will help with golf.  I don't think the sport has problems like Gary Player thinks.  I'm sure there are a few players who do somthing odd like smoke weed but its not a issue. From: elfisgregory 08/02/2007 18:38:01 Drugs should only be used to treat medical conditions, not enhance physical performance or mental status. However, I have anephew and friend that will swear that until I get 1 or 2 beers in me, I can't golf for crap. He never comments on my golf after a 6 pack though. From: Businessgolf 08/02/2007 18:06:53 Some people would say that since Alcohol is a drug that anyone who drinks and plays golf is also guilty of using drugs...but I would say any drug that is made to enhance performance is not part of golf. I would like to hear someone's reasoning on how alcohol enhances performance on the golf course.