The 5-wood David Toms used to hit his famous hole-in-one at the 2001 PGA Championship sits in a glass case at his home.
When he's playing pool or hanging out with his kids, he can see it.
"It brings back memories every time," he said.
He hopes to add another this week at the PGA Championship, which has returned to the Atlanta Athletic Club's Highlands Course.
Although Toms isn't a long hitter, he overpowered the course 10 years ago, shooting 15-under par to win his first major. It was a record-setting score in a major and it was fueled by the Cleveland QuadPro 5-wood.
Phil Mickelson, playing ahead of Toms, was in a third-round duel with him. Mickelson had a one-stroke lead when Toms arrived at No. 15, a 243-yard par 3, and took out his 5-wood.
"It's high in the air and straight at the flagstick," David Feherty said during the broadcast.
The ball hit the green, took a couple of bounces and slammed into the flagstick before dropping into the hole.
Toms raised his arms and began whooping as the crowd around him went crazy.
"Maybe that was something that was meant to be," Toms said. "It put me in the lead to stay."
While that's the shot most remember, it wasn't the only notable shot Toms hit. It might not have been the shot that won the tournament.
A day later, again trying to shake Mickelson, Toms led by one as he stood on the 18th tee. His drive leaked to the right on the 490-yard, par-4 hole, leaving him 209 yards to the green. With the lake guarding the front of the green and one hand practically on the Wanamaker Trophy, Toms elected to lay up. It had been a part of his game plan all week. He wasn't going to deviate when he was close.
He hacked out of the rough, leaving himself 88 yards away from the flag.
Crowds surrounded the green and lined the fairway.
Mickelson's second shot found the green, 25 feet away from the flag. Could Mickelson, the risk-taker loved by the crowds, make the birdie putt and win his first major?
Or would Toms, already a four-time winner on Tour but a more conservative player, stick his wedge close enough to secure his first major?
Toms hit a lob wedge to within 12 feet. It was a golfer's shot.
Mickelson's birdie putt came up just short. He made par.
Toms stood over his par putt and finally took the club back. As soon as he hit it, there was no doubt. Twelve feet could have been 1,200. That ball went in.
Although he's understandably partial to the hole-in-one, he said it's tough to say which shot secured the tournament.
"It was one of those weeks where I played well tee to green," he said. "I made the key putts when I hit those good shots."
The win didn't change him much. He didn't chase the opportunities that came with winning a major. He said he tried to stay grounded and follow the same plan that led him to the PGA Championship victory.
"When they announce you on the first tee as a major champion it's something that's with you for the rest of the golfing career," Toms said. "Not many players win a major championship. After I won that one, my career took off from there."
Toms hasn't won his second major, but he has won seven regular events since, including the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas earlier this year. He missed a few weeks because of a hip injury, but returned to finish ninth at last week's Bridgestone Invitational.
Should he need another a hole-in-one this week, he said he will likely play a driver or 3-wood this year on No. 15, which has been lengthened to 260 yards.
Unless there's a lot of rain to soften up the Highlands Course, he doesn't think anyone will match his score, still the lowest in PGA Championship history. Though he's not the longest of hitters on the 7,467-yard course, he gives himself a good chance at repeating.
"It's not the score that matters, it's being able to finish better than everybody else," he said. "I'll see if I can formulate a game plan for each hole. I'm hoping to bring my driving, short game all together at the same time. I've done it there before, so why not?"
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