David Toms shot a final-round 72 on The Broadmoor’s East Course to capture his first Champions Tour title at the U.S. Senior Open.
On a day when just three players in the entire field finished in the red – and just barely, the key to Sunday for the senior set in Colorado Springs was survival. And that’s exactly what Toms did as the former LSU star offset two bogeys with a pair of birdies, while adding 14 pars, highlighted by two clutch par-4s on Nos. 17 and 18 to close out a one-stroke victory.
“I never felt like I was in total control as far as being able to attack the golf course,” said Toms.
“Even from the fairway, I wasn’t able to get the ball close to the pin. I kept bouncing it over the green. So I was getting frustrated with that. But at the same time my short game felt good. And just hung in there. I just wanted to be there at the end to have a chance.
“I hadn’t been able to get the job done on the Champions Tour. And I was close many times. And I just wanted to be there in the end. And the way it worked out with that putt on 17 and then I played 18 really solid.
“To be able to win the tournament. It’s very rewarding. It’s a great place. It’s a great venue. I enjoyed my week. And obviously to get a victory is even more special.”
While the two closing pars were clutch, it was a birdie on the prior hole that was the key to Toms’ day. Tied with Kelly at 2-under par, Toms hit his tee shot on the par-3 16th to 20 feet, and then drained his birdie putt to take control at 3 under.
“After I made the one on 16, I mean, I was like trying to breathe to hit that tee shot on 17,” continued Toms. “And it’s such a hard tee shot. I’m just like, oh, my goodness, just get yourself together.
“I know you guys hear people talk about it all the time. You don’t actually have to do it. But when you haven’t done it in a while, it’s pretty brutal. And I’m just glad I got it done.”
The win earned Toms $585,000 which moves him into the top spot on the Money List with $1,376,659 in 13 starts.
FINAL TOP 10
POS-PLAYER-FINAL SCORE (FINAL RD)
1. David Toms -3 (E)
2. Miguel Angel Jimenez -2 (-1)
2. Tim Petrovic -2 (E)
2. Jerry Kelly -2 (+2)
5. Paul Broadhurst -1 (-1)
5. Paul Goydos -1 (E)
5. Brandt Jobe -1 (E)
8. Kevin Sutherland +2 (+2)
8. Kirk Triplett +2 (+4)
10. Lee Janzen +3 (E)
10. Davis Love III +3 (+3)
TOP 5 CASHERS
1st – $720,000 (Toms)
2nd – $297,439 (Jimenez)
2nd – $297,439 (Petrovic)
2nd – $297,439 (Kelly)
5th – $141,467 (Broadhurst)
5th – $141,467 (Goydos)
5th – $141,467 (Jobe)
EARLY-ROUND POSITIONING
ROUND ONE
1. Jerry Kelly -4 (66)
2. Deane Pappas -2 (68)
2. Kevin Sutherland -2 (68)
2. Rocco Mediate -2 (68)
2. Miguel Angel Jimenez -2 (68)
9. David Toms E (70)
ROUND TWO
1. Jerry Kelly -5 (66-69)
2. Miguel Angel Jimenez -4 (68-68)
3. Tim Petrovic -3 (72-65)
10. David Toms +1 (70-71)
ROUND THREE
1. Jerry Kelly -4 (66-69-71)
2. David Toms -3 (70-71-66)
3. Kirk Triplett -2 (74-66-68)
3. Tim Petrovic -2 (72-65-71)
WINNING STATS
Driving Distance: 296.54 yards (21st)
Fairways-Hit: 38/56, 67.9% (T21)
Greens-Hit: 48/72, 66.7% (T21)
Par-3 Scoring: E (3 Birdies, 10 Pars, 3 Bogeys)
Par-4 Scoring: -3 (8 Birdies, 37 Pars, 5 Bogeys)
Par-5 Scoring: E (1 Birdie, 6 Pars, 1 Bogey)
Total Scoring: -3 (12 Birdies, 53 Pars, 9 Bogeys)
VIDEO: CLUTCH CLOSE
Toms was clutch down the stretch, closing his final three holes with a pair of long putts – first for a birdie to go up, next for par to hold serve, and then a final par putt to win.
QUOTABLE
“As far as the comparison to the PGA Championship, that was the first thing that popped into my mind after I had to hit the shot out of the bunker, I was in the middle of the fairway, I’m still in good shape. It’s normally a par-5, just like 18 at the Athletic Club was. So I need to go make a birdie.
I hit a terrible wedge shot, to be honest with you, but it was really hard to control the ball it was bouncing all over the greens. It hit pin high, and I pulled it and it bounced 20 feet past and I was lucky enough to make it.”
– David Toms
