PGA Update: Toms Rejoins the Contenders

David Toms is trying to create a new set of memories this week at the PGA Championship.

Toms, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his victory at the Atlanta Athletic Club, has put himself in contention to win again. Toms shot a 5-under 65 on Saturday and will begin the final round at 2-under par.

“Obviously it will take a great round (Sunday), but you never know,” Toms said. “That was the goal of the day, to have a good round. I didn’t know it was going to be a great round. I just wanted to give myself a chance to have that hot round maybe like Steve Stricker did the first day to have a chance. Now, if I can have one of those days, I certainly will be in the mix.”

Toms made the turn in even par, but caught fire on the back. He had an eagle at No. 12, and birdies at No. 13, 14 and 18. He said the key to the round may have been holing the bunker shot at No. 14.

“I could have made bogey, double bogey, pretty easily,” he said. “And to hole a bunker shot and make birdie, that was a bonus.”

Unlike he did in 2001, Toms took an aggressive strategy at No. 18. He hit driver off the tee and 5-iron from the fairway to set up a birdie putt. A decade ago Toms famously won the PGA title by laying up on the 18th and trusting his wedge.

“I concentrate well on the tee shot knowing that I have to hit a good one,” he said. “That’s really all there is. It’s a tough hole and I’m not afraid to lay up; it wouldn’t bother me.”

Toms broke a six-year streak by winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial earlier this summer. His best finish at the PGA since his victor was 10th at Baltusrol in 2005.

Related Topics: PGA Championship 2011