CHUBB CLASSIC PRESENTED BY SERVPRO

February 15, 2026

David Toms

Tiburón Golf Club

Press Conference

Q. This is your first win since 2023. What are the emotions are going through your mind right now?

DAVID TOMS: Just shows it's pretty difficult to do that out here. You never take it for granted really. Three-round tournaments, guys are shooting low every day. Usually have to play really well. Only reason I didn't have to shoot 5- or 6-under today was because of the wind. Just made it tough for everybody.

Usually it's just a shootout. I've been fortunate to win a few times, and this is obviously a good way to start the year. See if I can keep some momentum going.

Q. You battled the conditions all day. After that front nine, was there anything that you kind of told yourself at the turn or was there a mindset change or were you just ready to grind it out?

DAVID TOMS: I could tell just by the two guys that I was playing with, you know, they were struggling as well even to make any birdies, much less -- and then try not to make a big number.

So I figured the whole golf course was doing the same thing. I'm sure there were some guys that played well. I saw some decent rounds on the board. To be able to go low today, nobody was going to be able to do that.

I just felt like if I made pars, every hole would be good, sprinkle in a birdie or two, and try to avoid a big number.

Q. 63 yesterday. People would say you were in control of your game and the course. Did you have that feeling today or like I said you had to grind it out?

DAVID TOMS: Yeah, I had that feeling on the range starting out. You know, tempo was good, everything was right on target, but it was straight downwind. You get to the first tee and all of a sudden it's 30 miles an hour in your face and your second shot it over water to a pin just over the water.

That's the way it starts. So I just never really feel comfortable the rest of the day.

Q. Par save on 17. What were the emotions standing over that putt?

DAVID TOMS: Yeah, I pulled my back on the second hole today with a 7-iron from the middle of the fairway. You know, really felt like on No. 6 after I hit my tee ball I was going pack it in honestly. Just a lot of spasms and it's something I've had before.

But I started walking and just trying to stretch a little bit and it got better. So I struggled off the tee and all the way until 17. They moved the tee up on 17. Much easier tee shot, and still hit a bad one there.

I did suck it up and hit a good one at 18 and got it right up here around the green in two, and that was the key it victory.

Q. Were you out there scoreboard watching at all?

DAVID TOMS: I was watching a little bit, but I knew it was tough. I could tell by the guys I was playing with. I saw the guys in front of us on 10 tee. Saw their board. Nobody was doing a whole lot of anything.

And then I saw Boo Weekley there. I think was on 16 when I saw he was at 12-under through 17, something like that, so I knew I had to at least get to that number to have a chance to win.

Was fortunate to be able to make the long par putt on 17 and birdie 18.

Q. Did the wind affect that at all for you?

DAVID TOMS: Well, not only that, but it starts affecting what club you hit off the tee, you know. I hit basically driver everywhere the first two days and then all of a sudden I hit -- some of the holes I hit driver I was hitting hybrid off the tee.

So everything was just different and just gets you out of your game plan for the day. I had no idea. Didn't look at the wind until I got out here, so it's not something I was worried about all night long. Wasn't getting worked up about that. Once you got out here you kind of saw it was going to be a tough day.

Q. What do you hope the kids at your golf academy can learn from this? You're almost 60 years old, still grinding, still out there. What do you hope they can see as you keep going in your career?

DAVID TOMS: I think it's about enjoying the game. You know, you just want them to learn the game first of all, enjoy that part of it. Enjoy getting better. As long as they can get better they can attain goals. That's what we're there for, is to help them get better.

And then they learn a life sport. Whether they're 60 years old and still playing pro golf like me or they're 60 years old and get to play with their kids and grandkids and they're all having fun doing it. Anything like that, just enjoy golf. Enjoy the sport of golf.

Q. First win since 2023. How are you going to go home back to Louisiana and celebrate?

DAVID TOMS: How will I celebrate? Well, my daughter is in college. Son works over in Texas. My wife, she'll be there and we'll probably go have a nice dinner and talk about it.

I'm sure I got a lot of texts on the phone and all that, so kids will be proud of dad.

Q. And you and your caddie have been together for 27 years I believe. How do you kind of pick each other up and get through the challenging day today?

DAVID TOMS: Well, I think he -- you know, he didn't say a whole lot. I think he knows it's tough. He's watching it. He knows I'm struggling and he was just -- when I told him on No. 6 I might go in because my back was really bad, at that point I think he was -- he just started looking everywhere for Advil or something to take.

Just didn't let me give in and give up I think was really the whole deal. And then when I made the putt on 17 he kind of got -- he was like, hey, let's go get the last one and win the golf tournament. So that was cool.

Q. It was No. 2 that you said that you tweaked your back?

DAVID TOMS: Yeah, ball was below my feet. I was trying to hit a shot, a full iron shot, and I kind of pulled it. I felt it. I mean, I actually honestly struggled with it every day this week, but the physio guys kept me playing and they got me to where I was loose enough and wasn't feeling pain by the time I tee'd off.

I don't know what happened. I just got -- you know, it's just part of being old. It's all right. Kept me out for months last year so I was just hoping it wouldn't keep me from winning this golf tournament.

Q. When that happens, one, the conditions, with the windy conditions and all that, in your mind is it just push through, plow through?

DAVID TOMS: It can be a good thing actually. It'll kind of take your mind -- you're just trying to get through rather than worrying too much about the golf. Actually at that point in time I just wanted to finish the golf tournament. To be able to finish the golf tournament and win, it's certainly a bonus.

Q. Did you and your caddie talk about this with your back or did he just kind of leave you...

DAVID TOMS: No, he's been with me long enough to know if it's an issue at any point in time, he can (wind) and he takes it well. In fact, he started working end of last year for Ernie Els a good bit because I was out because of the back.

It's good to be able to do it for him. This is really our first week back after a few months off, so kind of cool.

Q. The bunker shot right here, how satisfying was that?

DAVID TOMS: You know, actually, if you're going to have one that you have to get up and down to win the golf tournament, pretty easy shot; had a lot of green to work with; ball was below my feet.

So I just needed to just kind of -- as a pro you call it a chunk and run. Don't hit so close and spin it so you got plenty of room. You just kind of chunk it out and let it roll down there, and luckily and got so close I couldn't miss it.