Jul 15

David Toms bails on British Open, reeling from a 74 and DQ infraction

Toms in happier times.

Now that hurts, mam.

Looks like the 74 David Toms signed for after the opening round likely should have been even worse.

Toms disqualified himself saying he might have hit a moving ball on the 17th green Thursday when he was putting in for double bogey. Such a violation (a two-stroke no no) meant his scorecard was incorrect which would have meant an automatic DQ. He told reporters: “It was just one of those iffy areas about whether or not a rule was violated, and I was the only one that saw it. I just felt it was better that I disqualified myself.”

Given the way he was swinging, the guy wasn’t likely be playing on the weekend anyway.

– Mark

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11 comments

Comment from: Tom LaMarre [Visitor]

Toms was two-over par and one shot from what turned out to be the cut line. To say he bailed on the Open is ridiculous. If he shoots 71 in the second round he makes the cut and with all the low numbers being posted, he could have done that easily. Els and Mickelson both opened with 74 and came back with 67. Even though he was not sure his ball was moving, he was honest with himself and took the DQ. That's the way golf is played.

07/15/05 @ 16:14

Comment from: Jason [Visitor]

Well said Tom!

07/15/05 @ 16:29

Comment from: David [Visitor]

A closer look at David Toms' scorecard will show that after 10 holes he was (-3), so it is not as though he played poorly all day. Without the double on hole 17, Toms finishes at Even for the day. So it is quite clear he did NOT bail out for reasons of his game. If his arthritis has made golf unbearable, and he does not want to use it as an excuse, I could see that as a reason to "bow out" early.

07/15/05 @ 17:33

Comment from: Mike [Visitor]

Give me a break...David Toms bailing out??? This is the first time I've read your work and, needless to say, the last.

07/17/05 @ 10:44

Comment from: KATIE [Visitor]

David Toms DQed himself because he feels that he might have done something wrong. He is one of the classiest golfers you will ever see play and possibly meet. I have more respect for him as a player because he truly has a conscience.

07/18/05 @ 19:14

Comment from: Greg Pinelli [Visitor]

Earth to Balls.....Toms shows real ethic and all you can say is.....what? How many tall ones did you kill before that trenchant analysis?? Either come up with something better than that (and you have set the bar very low dude)
or give up this stuff......

07/18/05 @ 23:13

Comment from: Jordan [Visitor]

The way he was swinging?? Are you kidding me? Sans Tiger and Vijay, Toms has been the most consistent guy on Tour this summer. He had a stretch of five straight tournaments where he was in contention to win. If not for his spat with his agent that consumed six weeks of this year, he could be higher than fourth on the money list. YES, he is fourth!!
Bailed on the Open??? That's plain ignorant journalism.

07/21/05 @ 02:04

Comment from: B Coffey [Visitor]

Bobby Jones would have been proud.

07/22/05 @ 05:45

Comment from: Dave [Visitor]

I'm with Mark, just because that's the first thought that came to my head when I heard about it. I followed him a few holes at the JDC and the guy's attitude says a lot about himself (rhymes w/pucker). Besides, the camera showed that his ball did not move. Sorry to say, I think Toms is looking for the sympathy and the "honor" you're giving him.

07/22/05 @ 11:26

Comment from: Greg Pinelli [Visitor]

Great...Dave and Mark are both on a sinking ship. So let me get this straight..Toms gives up a very nice check because his ball isn't moving and he can't really win anyway?? The PGA Tour is NOT about winning...it's about making checks and moving on til it's your week. He THOUGHT it was moving...and that's all that counts. Beyond on that neither Dave nor Mark know squat.

07/22/05 @ 21:14

Comment from: Rick [Visitor]

I am assuming that Toms wrote down a 4 and then after the fact he THOUGHT he remebered that the ball was moving. I respect his honor, but my question is why not write down the six and move on. I don't know how you remember something like this after you record your score.

07/25/05 @ 14:37

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