Texas Children's Houston Open

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The Loop

Toms taking advantage of Grand Slam invite

October 19, 2010

Just a week ago, David Toms was named as a replacement for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. It took him far less time to show he has every intention of taking full advantage of the late invite.

Toms got off to fast start at the two-day, 36-hole event, making the turn at four under in his opening round at the Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda.

Toms replaced the injured Louis Oosthuizen in the event, which is supposed to feature the winners of the year's four major championships. His selection was seemed as somewhat of an odd choice considering the fact he won his lone major at the 2001 PGA Championship and didn't even tee it up at this season's British Open, where Oosthuizen's victory earned him a trip to Bermuda.

Ernie Els, who hasn't won a major since the 2002 British Open, replaced Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who withdrew to spend more time with his family. U.S. Open champ Graeme McDowell and PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer round out a field that is playing for a $1.35 million purse.

Toms seemed to get extra credit from the PGA of America for his three appearances as a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. While his selection as a replacement for this tournament seemed strange, what the PGA Tour veteran does have going for him is that he seems to be playing his best golf in some time. In the last two months, he has a solo second at the Wyndham Championship and he's coming off a T-3 at the recent McGladrey Classic.

-- Alex Myers