David Toms claims Galleri Classic for second Champions win of season

RANCHO MIRAGE (Calif.) David TomsA 7-under 65 was shot on Sunday by the winner of The Galleri Classic. This made him the first two-time winner of the PGA Tour Champions.

Toms won his second victory in three starts and his fourth Champions win with an eight-birdie performance at Mission Hills Country Club. He claimed the $330,000 winner’s share.

Steven AlkerNew Zealand’s round of five birdies, four on the back nine, saw it finish second after a closing score of 67.

Retief GoosenHad a final-round 65, and tied Paul Stankowski(66) for third at 11 below Vijay Singh (68), Padraig Harrington (68), Miguel Angel Jimenez (68), Steve Stricker(69) Mario Tiziani(67) were at ten under.

Toms also won the Galleri title at Cologuard Classic earlier this year, his first multi-win season since joining the over-50 tour in 2017. This win landed him in first place in Charles Schwab Cup standings.

The 56-year old Toms said that he had just enjoyed playing golf right now. “I haven’t really been part in the Charles Schwab Cup at all, haven’t even been close, so that’s kind of my objective this year is to try and get close, give me a chance late into the season.”

The inaugural event took place on the same Mission Hills venue where the LPGA previously contested its 50th major. Chevron was named the title sponsor and the major was moved to Houston.

Toms found that the par-72, 7,112-yard layout was challenging. He emphasized accuracy off the tee.

Toms said, “It was an excellent test, you had the ball in the fairway which was very difficult.” He was first in driving accuracy, hitting 33 of 42 fairways, and led the field with 20 birdies. “Just enough rough to make it think.

“Greens became hard, so you really should be in the fairway. It was a good thing that I kept it in fairway for most of the time. If not, I always had a shot that had an open green, or something, and the putter was really good the last few day.”

Bernhard LangerAfter a final-round 69, he was trying to win his 46th title on PGA Tour Champions. He finished tied for 20th at 6 over.