Saltman Drops Appeal: "I hope that I can be allowed to put this deeply unhappy, and in my view unfair, episode behind me and get on with the rest of my career."

BBC's report on Eliot Saltman dropping his three-month suspension appeal, but going out with a few jabs and word that he passed a polygraph.

Saltman paid for a polygraph, or lie-detector, test in an attempt to prove his innocence and his representatives say the results "provided strong backing for his assertion" that he had not broken any rules.

His representatives also said: "Legal advisors have advised him of concerns over the likelihood of an appeal success given the current procedures followed by the European Tour that restrict their ability to proactively and fully put his case.

"An inability under European Tour rules to obtain full statements from the witnesses who claimed Elliot had incorrectly marked his ball in advance of the appeal, plus the possibility that the appeal might be heard by the same people who made the original decision, also persuaded Elliot and his lawyers that the likelihood of success was seriously hampered."

Saltman added: "Let me put the record straight. I love the game of golf, and I respect its traditions.

"I deeply regret any problems the publicity surrounding this matter has brought to the game of golf or to the European Tour.

"I don't cheat, and I don't knowingly break the rules. I hope that I can be allowed to put this deeply unhappy, and in my view unfair, episode behind me and get on with the rest of my career."