(Duluth, GA, February 28, 2006) — David Toms, the ninth ranked player in the world, will play in this year’s BellSouth Classic, adding even more luster to a field that includes such players as Chris DiMarco, Nissan Open champion Rory Sabbatini, driving distance leader Bubba Watson and defending champion Phil Mickelson. Now in its 38th year, the 72-hole PGA TOUR tournament offers a first prize check of $954,000 from a total purse of $5.3 million. The event will be played March 27-April 2 at TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA. Here are some quick facts on Toms:
â?¢ Toms is off to a terrific start in 2006 thanks in large measure to his five-shot win at the Sony Open in Hawaii that included a third round course record 61. He also tied for 13th at the Mercedes Championship, finished 19th at the FBR Open in Scottsdale and tied for 9th at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He currently ranks 6th on the money list with $1,245,800.
â?¢ He had a career high in earnings last year with $3,962,013, the fourth time he has exceeded the $3 million mark. That was accomplished thanks to a win at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship as well as ten other top 10 finishes. In six appearances at the Match Play he has a record of 18-5, a win total that’s second only to Tiger Woods.
â?¢ Toms experienced a health scare at last year’s 84 Lumber Classic when he was rushed from the course with a non-life threatening heart condition which was cured later in the year with surgery. Just a week or so after the scare he competed in the Presidents Cup, winning his singles match over Trevor Immelman. That was his second Presidents, and he has also competed twice on the Ryder Cup team.
â?¢ 2001 was a huge break-out season for Toms, his ninth full year on the PGA TOUR. His win at the PGA Championship in the Atlanta Athletic Club was his first major title and his sixth win overall. His third round hole-in-one on the 245-yard 15th hole was unquestionably the shot of the year in golf, and propelled him to a lead that he never relinquished.
â?¢ In 12 appearances at the BellSouth Classic, his best finish is a 5th place tie in 1997. His other Top 10 was a 10th place tie in 1999. His career earnings at the event total $320,196.17.
â?¢ Toms was a first team All-American at LSU and was named the Southeastern Conference Championship in 1988-89. He remains a passionate fan of the LSU Tigers football team.
Contact:
John Marshall
Media Director
(770) 436-2643
Brent Fowler
BellSouth Corporation
(404) 249-2839
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