Toms facing up to surgery

Toms: shoulder injury

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Former USPGA champion David Toms has revealed he is likely to need surgery to resolve an ongoing shoulder problem.

The 43-year-old has a spur in his rotator cuff which, as well as giving him pain, has seen him lose length off the tee.

He is currently managing the problem with medication and shot an eight-under-par 63 on Friday to put himself in contention at the Transitions Championship.

However, the American acknowledges that he will have to go under the knife to fully correct the injury.

"I've been to two different doctors, and I've got an issue there," Toms stated. "They tell me I'm going to be out eight weeks if I have it done. So I'm just taking medication and trying to get through it."

Toms' original plan was to continue taking medication up to The Masters before undergoing surgery after Augusta in order to be fit in time to play in the US Open at Pebble Beach in June.

But he admits his performance at Copperhead on Friday has led him to consider trying to get through the season as he is before having an operation in the close season.

"I felt like I was getting through it a little bit, at least where I feel like I can still play golf," he continued. "But I'm still in a lot of pain.

"I can't even toss a ball to my caddie when I get the ball out of the hole or have it marked. At 43, when you start having those little nagging things like that, what's next?

"It's part of getting old. But at the same time, being injured and old is not a good thing."