Toms out to bring it all back home

GOLF: Defending champion David Toms hopes a return home will again provide a springboard.

Toms shot a nine-under-par 63 and a 64 in the final two rounds for victory in the Compaq Classic last year, jumpstarting the biggest season of his career.

In front of vociferous home crowd, he became the first Louisianan to capture the title in a tournament that began in 1938.

That win was followed by victories in the PGA Championship and Michelob Championship later in the year, upping his career victory total to seven.

Six strokes behind entering the final round, Toms blistered the back nine with a 30 and beat Phil Mickelson by two strokes.

He closed with birdies on 16 and 18, the last a 30-footer that drew the biggest roar from the crowd, and finished at 22-under 266.

Toms will be joined in this field by Mickelson, who is second among the money leaders, and Ernie Els, who is third in the official world ranking.

Last year, Mickelson established a 54-hole record at this tournament with a 20-under 196 total, but a 72 in the final round proved his downfall.

Mickelson and Chris DiMarco are the only players among the top 10 money leaders entered in the tournament.