Crowne Plaza Invitational: David Toms Wins First Tournament Since 2006

Having relinquished the top of the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational leaderboard to Charlie Wi in the final round, David Toms found himself on the green of hole No. 18 needing only a two-putt to assure himself of victory. His first putt rolled inches away from the cup, all but assuring himself of putting the ball in, which he did.

Toms fell last week in the Players Championship sudden death to K.J. Choi after bogeying that course’s difficult hole No. 17. This is his 13th career PGA Tour win and his first since 2006’s Sony Open.

Charlie Wi is among those who’ve gotten a hot start in the final round of the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational, scoring birdies on his first two holes to extend his leaderboard edge on David Toms. Wi is now 15-under for the event, three ahead of Toms. Both players have made their way through three holes.

Also starting out strong is third-place contender John Senden, at 11-under, and fourth-place players Steven Bowditch and D.J. Trahan. All three have gone 2-under thus far to make up ground on the leaderboard. Stuart Appleby is also tied for fourth.

Through the first two rounds, David Toms has absolutely destroyed the Crowne Plaza Invitational. Toms matched his first-round 62 with another 62 in the second round, and entering Saturday’s play, he sits on top of the leaderboard with a commanding seven-stroke lead.

Toms’ play has been remarkably consistent. In each of his two rounds, he scored eight birdies without committing a single bogey. Toms is a week removed from his Players Championship run that ultimately ended in a playoff loss to K.J. Choi; the 44-year-old won his last PGA Tour event in 2006.