David Toms facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Toms
Toms at the 2008 PGA Championship
Personal information
Full name	David Wayne Toms
Born	(1967-01-04) January 4, 1967 (age 58) Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	160 lb (73 kg)
Nationality	United States
Residence	Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Spouse	Sonya Toms
Children	2
Career
College	Louisiana State University
Turned professional	1989
Current tour(s)	PGA Tour Champions
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour Nike Tour T. C. Jordan Tour
Professional wins	22
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	13
European Tour	2
Web.com Tour	2
Champions Tour	4
European Seniors Tour	1
Other	3
Best results in Major Championships (Wins: 1)
The Masters Tournament	T6: 1998
U.S. Open	T4: 2012
The Open Championship	T4: 2000
PGA Championship	Won: 2001
Achievements and awards
Payne Stewart Award	2011

David Wayne Toms (born January 4, 1967) is an American professional golfer. He is known for winning the 2001 PGA Championship, which is one of golf's biggest tournaments. David played on the PGA Tour for many years. He won 13 events there. He was also one of the top 10 golfers in the world for a long time. Today, he plays on the PGA Tour Champions, which is for older professional golfers.

Early Life and Amateur Golf

David Toms was born in Monroe, Louisiana. His father, Thomas Edward "Buster" Toms, was from Minden, Louisiana. When David was a teenager, he won the 15-17 Boys' event at the 1984 Junior World Golf Championships. He even played little league baseball with future Major League Baseball stars Albert Belle and Ben McDonald. After high school, David went to Louisiana State University. He was a member of their golf team.

David's Professional Golf Career

Starting Out and First Big Win

David Toms became a professional golfer in 1989. In 1991, he earned his first full card to play on the PGA Tour. This meant he could play in many big tournaments. His first few years were a bit tough. He didn't always make the cut, which means he didn't play well enough to continue in the tournament.

In 1995, David played on the Nike Tour (now called the Korn Ferry Tour). He did much better there, winning two tournaments: the Greater Greenville Classic and the Wichita Open. This success helped him get back onto the PGA Tour for the 1996 season.

In 1997, David won his very first PGA Tour event! It was the Quad City Classic. He won by three shots. The next year, he played well at the Masters Tournament, finishing tied for sixth place. This was his best finish in a major tournament at that time.

More Wins and a Major Championship

In 1999, David won two more PGA Tour titles: the Sprint International and the Buick Challenge. He kept playing well, and in 2000, he won the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill in a sudden-death playoff.

The year 2001 was David's best year. He won three tournaments! First, he won the Compaq Classic of New Orleans. Then, he achieved his biggest dream: winning a major championship. He won the 2001 PGA Championship by just one shot. His score of 265 was one of the lowest ever in a major championship at that time. After his major win, he successfully defended his title at the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill.

More Victories and Challenges

David continued to win tournaments in the following years. In 2003, he won the Wachovia Championship and the FedEx St. Jude Classic. He even won the FedEx St. Jude Classic again in 2004!

In 2005, David won his first World Golf Championship event, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He beat many famous golfers to win this title. In 2006, he won the Sony Open in Hawaii, adding another victory to his impressive career.

From 2007 to 2012, David faced some challenges, including injuries. However, he still had some great moments. In 2009, he finished second three times. In 2011, he almost won The Players Championship, losing in a playoff. But he bounced back the very next week to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. This was his 13th PGA Tour win. In 2012, he had his best finish ever at the U.S. Open, finishing tied for fourth place.

Toms at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Beyond the Golf Course

Designing Golf Courses

David Toms also has a business where he designs golf courses. He plans to do more of this after he stops playing professional golf full-time. His first course as the main designer was Carter Plantation in Springfield, Louisiana.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

In 2003, David started the David Toms Foundation. This foundation helps children who are underprivileged, abused, or abandoned. It gives money to programs that help kids feel good about themselves and grow into good citizens. His foundation even raised over $1.5 million to help people after Hurricane Katrina. For his efforts, David received an award called the Charlie Bennett Award.

David's Personal Life

David Toms lives in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is married to Sonya, and they have two children, Carter and Anna. In 2015, his son Carter started playing golf for Louisiana State University, just like his dad. In 2005, David had heart surgery to fix a rapid heartbeat.

David Toms' Major Wins

David Toms has won 22 professional tournaments in total. Here are some of his most important victories:

• PGA Tour Wins (13):

* Quad City Classic (1997) * Sprint International (1999) * Buick Challenge (1999) * Michelob Championship at Kingsmill (2000, 2001) * Compaq Classic of New Orleans (2001) * PGA Championship (2001) - This is his major championship win! * Wachovia Championship (2003) * FedEx St. Jude Classic (2003, 2004) * WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship (2005) - A World Golf Championship win! * Sony Open in Hawaii (2006) * Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial (2011)

• Nike Tour Wins (2):

* Nike Greater Greenville Classic (1995) * Nike Wichita Open (1995)

• PGA Tour Champions Wins (4):

* U.S. Senior Open (2018) - A senior major championship! * Ascension Charity Classic (2021) * Cologuard Classic (2023) * Galleri Classic (2023)

Major Championship Performance

David Toms has played in many major golf championships. He won the PGA Championship in 2001. He also had top finishes in other majors.

Playing for His Country

David Toms has represented the United States in several team golf events:

• Ryder Cup: 2002, 2004, 2006
• World Cup: 2002
• Presidents Cup: 2003 (tie), 2005 (winners), 2007 (winners), 2011 (winners)