David Toms

David Toms Bio

David Wayne Toms, born January 4, 1967, is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Over a long and consistent career, Toms won 13 events on the PGA Tour between 1992 and 2017, including one major championship, the 2001 PGA Championship. He spent 175 weeks inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking between 2001 and 2006, rising as high as fifth in the world in 2002 and 2003. Known for steady ball-striking and a calm temperament under pressure, Toms has remained a respected figure in American professional golf for more than three decades.

Early Life and Background

David Wayne Toms was born in Monroe, in northeastern Louisiana, and grew up with deep ties to the wider region. He is the son of Thomas Edward “Buster” Toms, who was based in Minden in northwestern Louisiana. As a teenager, Toms excelled in junior golf, winning the 15-17 Boys’ event at the 1984 Junior World Golf Championships. During his youth, he also played little league baseball alongside future Major League Baseball players Albert Belle and Ben McDonald, reflecting the athletic environment of his early years.

After graduating from Airline High School in Bossier City, Louisiana, Toms attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he played on the college golf team. His time at LSU helped him transition from a promising junior player into a competitive amateur ready for the professional ranks. Those college years provided the foundation for his eventual entry into the professional game.

Path to Professional Golf

Toms turned professional in 1989 and began working his way up through the developmental tours. In 1991, he finished tied for 23rd at the PGA Tour qualifying school to earn his first full Tour card for the 1992 season, marking his first sustained opportunity at the highest level. After struggling to keep his card in 1994, he spent the 1995 season on the Nike Tour, where he won two events, the Greater Greenville Classic and the Wichita Open. That success returned him to the PGA Tour in 1996, setting the stage for his breakthrough the following year.

David Toms Career

Early Career (1989-1998)

Toms’s first PGA Tour victory came at the 1997 Quad City Classic, where he won by three strokes over Brandel Chamblee. The following season, he added a runner-up finish at the Tucson Chrysler Classic and recorded a strong tied for sixth at the Masters, his best major result at that point. These early results established Toms as a reliable contender and laid the groundwork for the consistent run that would soon follow.

During this developmental phase, Toms was refining his approach with the help of his support team and learning how to manage the demands of full-time tour golf. His two Nike Tour wins in 1995 proved especially important, showing that he could close out tournaments under pressure. By the end of 1998, he had positioned himself for a sustained run of success on the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour Breakthrough (1999-2001)

In 1999, Toms won twice, capturing the Sprint International by three strokes over David Duval and later the Buick Challenge by three strokes over Stuart Appleby. The following year, he won the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill, defeating Mike Weir in a sudden-death playoff for his fourth Tour title, and added a tie for fourth at The Open Championship. By this point, Toms had become a regular presence in the final groups on Sunday afternoons.

The 2001 season was the standout year of his career. Toms posted nine top-10 finishes and three wins, including the Compaq Classic of New Orleans, where he beat Phil Mickelson by two strokes. That summer, he won his first major, the PGA Championship, again defeating Mickelson by one stroke. His winning total of 265 set the record for the lowest 72-hole score in a major championship, a mark that stood until Henrik Stenson shot 264 at the 2016 Open Championship. He closed the year with a playoff appearance at The Tour Championship, ultimately losing to Mike Weir.

Sustained Success (2002-2006)

Between 2002 and 2006, Toms added five more PGA Tour titles. In 2003, he won the Wachovia Championship and the FedEx St. Jude Classic, the latter by three strokes over Nick Price. The following year, he defended the FedEx St. Jude Classic by six strokes over Bob Estes. In 2005, Toms captured his first World Golf Championship at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, defeating Chris DiMarco 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final after earlier wins over Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, and Ian Poulter. He opened 2006 with a five-stroke victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii, his 12th PGA Tour title.

Comeback and Later PGA Tour Years (2007-2012)

After several solid seasons, Toms struggled with injuries in 2008, missing significant time and finishing 136th in the FedEx Cup standings. He returned to form in 2009, recording three runner-up finishes and more than $3 million in earnings. In 2011, he came close to winning The Players Championship before losing a sudden-death playoff to K. J. Choi, then bounced back the following week to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial by one stroke over Charlie Wi. In 2012, he posted his best U.S. Open finish, a tie for fourth at The Olympic Club.

PGA Tour Champions Era (2013-Present)

After turning 50 in 2017, Toms transitioned to the PGA Tour Champions, where he has continued to compete at a high level. He has recorded five PGA Tour Champions wins and one victory on the European Senior Tour, adding to a professional career total of 23 titles across multiple tours. His experience and course management skills have translated well to the senior circuit, where he has remained a consistent contender.

Notable Events and Milestones

The 2001 PGA Championship stands as the defining moment of Toms’s career, highlighted by his record-setting 265 total. His playoff loss to K. J. Choi at the 2011 Players Championship, followed immediately by his Colonial victory, demonstrated his resilience. Across formats and tours, Toms has also won events on the European Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour, underscoring the breadth of his accomplishments.

David Toms Career Wins

Across his professional career, David Wayne Toms has accumulated 23 verified victories. These include 13 PGA Tour titles, 2 European Tour wins, 2 Korn Ferry Tour wins, 5 PGA Tour Champions titles, 1 European Senior Tour victory, and 3 other professional wins. His 2001 PGA Championship remains his only major championship.

PGA Tour Highlights

Toms’s first PGA Tour win came at the 1997 Quad City Classic, and his most recent PGA Tour victory was the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. The 2001 PGA Championship victory, the 2005 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, and his successful defense of the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2004 stand out as crown-jewel moments. He also posted strong runner-up finishes at majors, including a tie for fourth at The Open Championship in 2000 and a tie for fourth at the U.S. Open in 2012.

Other Wins and Performances

On the developmental circuit, Toms won the 1995 Greater Greenville Classic and the 1995 Wichita Open on the Nike Tour. He has also recorded wins on the European Tour, the European Senior Tour, and additional non-Tour events. These victories round out a versatile résumé that spans more than three decades of competitive golf.

David Toms Family

Family Background and Personal Life

David Wayne Toms is the son of Thomas Edward “Buster” Toms, who was from Minden in northwestern Louisiana. He grew up in Monroe and later settled in Shreveport, also in northwestern Louisiana, where he continues to reside. His Louisiana roots have remained a central part of his identity throughout his professional career.

Toms is married to Sonya Toms, and the couple has two children, Carter and Anna. In 2015, his son Carter signed to play golf at Louisiana State University, continuing the family’s connection to the school where David once played. In 2005, Toms underwent heart surgery with ablation to address a rapid heartbeat, a procedure he recovered from to continue his career.

2025 Season Performance

As David Wayne Toms continues his career on the PGA Tour Champions in 2025, he remains an active and respected competitor on the senior circuit. Building on his five PGA Tour Champions titles, Toms is positioned to add to a professional total that already stands at 23 wins across multiple tours. His experience in major championships and World Golf Championship events provides a strong foundation for success in senior majors and invitationals throughout the year.

Entering the 2025 season, Toms is expected to balance his competitive schedule with his golf course design business and philanthropic work through the David Toms Foundation. The foundation, created in 2003, supports underprivileged, abused, and abandoned children, and previously raised more than $1.5 million for Hurricane Katrina relief. His 2011 Payne Stewart Award further reflects the respect he has earned within the game for character, sportsmanship, and charitable impact.

Looking ahead, Toms’s outlook in 2025 centers on contending in select PGA Tour Champions events while continuing to mentor younger players and contribute to junior golf initiatives. With a career defined by precision, patience, and longevity, David Wayne Toms remains one of the most enduring figures in American professional golf.