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The Loop

Toms shoots 63, plans for surgery

March 19, 2010

Considering he just shot an 8-under-par 63 in the second round of the Transitions Championship on Friday, it was strange to hear David Toms admit for the first time to the media that he needs surgery on his right shoulder. He said two different doctors have confirmed that a bone spur is wearing on a tendon in his rotator cuff and will require surgery followed by eight weeks of rehabilitation. The spur has caused him so much pain, he can't even toss a golf ball to his caddie Scott Gneiser.

"At 43, when you start having those little nagging things like that, it's like, 'What's next?'" said Toms, who has struggled the past few years with back injuries. The 2001 PGA Championship winner hasn't had a victory on tour since the 2006 Sony Open in Hawaii.

Toms said he will likely wait until after the Masters to have it done, but isn't sure when. He's taking pain killers in the interim and trying to tough it out. The injury is particularly frustrating, he said, since he was targeting this season as a comeback year. Last year, he finished second three times, but said he still judges himself by victories. He's had 12 on the PGA Tour.

"I measure my year whether or not I win a tournament," he said. "And it's been a long time."

-- Ron Kaspriske