American David Toms birdied five of the first 10 holes on the way to a one-shot lead in Tuesday’s opening round of the end-of-season PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda.
The 2001 PGA Championship winner had to contend with strengthening winds on the back nine before completing a four-under-par 67 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton.
South African Ernie Els opened with a 68, US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland carded a 72 and Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who won the US PGA Championship in August, returned a 74.
“It was a great first 10 holes,” Toms told reporters after taking control of the two-round stroke-play event which traditionally brings together the winners of the year’s four Majors.
“Even though it’s a fun event, kind of an exhibition-style event, you want to go out and play great. Getting off to a good start was nice.”
Toms, who covered the front nine in a flawless four-under 32, was unfortunate to bogey the 11th after his drive ended up in a sand-filled divot.
“I didn’t want to hit it over the green and I chunked it, not being committed to the shot,” he said of his approach on the par-four hole.
“That hurt. Mentally it goes from like you’re in total control and then you get a bad break, you got to somehow come back.”
Toms came back superbly, sinking a 30-footer to birdie the par-four 12th, before he also bogeyed the par-three 13th after missing the green to the right off the tee.
“After that I’m just trying to hit solid shots,” he said. “It started to get a little windy and they are tough holes there by the ocean. I felt like I played pretty solid coming in.”
Three-times Major champion Els, who won the event in 1997, was overall satisfied with his score after spending much of the day tinkering with a new putting style.
“I’m in a good position,” the former world number one said. “Hopefully I can play a little better tomorrow. Feels like especially the front nine I left a lot of shots out there.
“I’ve got to work on the greens a little bit. I’m working on a new putting technique, and it’s kind of new still.”
Els and Toms were late replacements for Masters champion Phil Mickelson and British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen. American Mickelson withdrew due to arthritis and South African Oosthuizen pulled out because of an ankle injury.
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