SUTTON COLDFIELD, England –After waiting more than a year for his Ryder Cup debut, former LSU All-American golfer David Toms with playing partner Phil Mickelson won the United States’ lone morning four-ball match before halving an afternoon foursome match as the US trails the European team, 4½-3½, after Friday’s matches at The De Vere Belfry.
Toms, a four-time letterwinner for the Tigers from 1986-89, was a two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year as well as Freshman of the Year in 1986. Ranked sixth in the world rankings and eighth on the 2002 money list, Toms has won seven tournaments on the PGA Tour including the 2001 PGA Championship. He made his PGA debut in 1992 after turning pro in 1989. He ranks 18th on the career money list with $11,947,192.
In the afternoon alternating-shot foursome match, Toms and Mickelson came back from 3-down with four holes to play to half the match with European veterans Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer by recording three straight birdies on 15, 16 and 17 before both groups posted bogey on No. 18.
In the morning four-ball match, the American pair went off last of the four pairings against Europe’s rookie Niclas Fasth and Padraig Harrington. Toms started the US group off right with consecutive birdies on Nos. 1 and 2 to take a 2-up lead early. The Americans were 3-up through 12, but dropped holes 13 and 14. After the teams split Nos. 16 and 17, Toms tapped in from 30 inches on 18 to win the US’s first point of the 2002 Ryder Cup.
The 2002 Ryder Cup, originally scheduled for 2001, was pushed back one year due to the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
The U.S. Ryder Cup Team was chosen on the basis of points compiled by The PGA of America, which players accumulate from Jan. 9, 2000, through Aug. 19, 2001, at The 83rd PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth, Ga.
The top 10 on the points list qualified for the 12-member team, and U.S. Captain Curtis Strange selected the two final players. Points were awarded for top-10 finishes at PGA Tour co-sponsored or sanctioned events, with added emphasis on major championships and events played during the Ryder Cup year.
American-born players, or individuals who obtain U.S. citizenship prior to their 18th birthday, represent the U.S. team. Players must be PGA members.
Toms and Mickelson will again be paired together for Saturday’s 2 a.m. CDT alternate-shot foursome match when they will face European rookies Pierre Fulke and Phillip Price to open play. At 6:30 a.m., four-ball matches will begin with pairings to be announced after the morning foursomes.