American golfer Doug Barron has become the first player banned for a doping violation since the US PGA Tour starting drug testing last year.

The tour says 40-year-old Barron has been suspended for one year for using a performance-enhancing drug.

Barron has not played a full PGA Tour schedule since 2006 and competed only four times on the second-tier Nationwide Tour this year.

Barron apologised in a statement through the tour on Monday, saying he did not intend to gain an unfair advantage. The tour declined further comment.

Under its policy, the tour announces only when a player tests positive and the length of suspension. It does not say what drug was used.