UPDATE 2-Golf-American Barron banned for doping by PGA Tour

* Barron becomes first golfer to receive doping ban

* Issues apology to Tour and his peers (Adds background)

MIAMI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - American journeyman Doug Barron achieved unwanted fame on Monday when he became the first golfer to receive a ban for taking a performance-enhancing drug.

In a statement the PGA Tour said Barron, 40, had been suspended for a year for violating its anti-doping policy. It did not name the drug.

"I would like to apologise for any negative perception of the Tour or its players resulting from my suspension," Barron was quoted as saying by the Tour.

"I want my fellow Tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on Tour."

Barron, who turned professional in 1992, has played eight full seasons on the PGA Tour, most recently in 2006. His best finish was a tie for third at the 2005 Bryon Nelson Championship.

Since then, he has competed mainly on the satellite Nationwide Tour where he has twice finished second but is yet to win a title.

In the PGA Tour's media guide, Barron lists his biggest thrill in golf as being paired with former world number one Fred Couples and fellow American Craig Stadler for the final round of his first event on the 1997 PGA Tour.