FARMINGTON, Pa. -- David Toms was released from a Pittsburgh hospital Friday and plans to play in next week's Presidents Cup matches despite being stricken by a heart problem during the first round of the 84 Lumber Classic.
Toms, taken off the Nemacolin Woodlands resort course Thursday
with what his caddie said was a rapid heartbeat, said Friday in a
statement issued by his charitable foundation that his problem is "treatable and curable."
According to the statement, the condition -- supraventricular
tachycardia, a general term for a rapid heart rate originating
above the ventricles -- is not life-threatening. Doctors told Toms
it can be treated with medication or cured with minor surgery.
The 38-year-old Toms, No. 4 on the PGA Tour money list and No.
11 in the world rankings, grabbed his chest and complained about
not being able to breathe properly halfway through his round and
was taken off the course in an ambulance. He was first treated at
nearby Uniontown Hospital, but shortly thereafter was taken by
helicopter to Pittsburgh's UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital for tests and treatment.
Toms initially was listed in critical condition at UPMC Presbyterian, but was upgraded to good condition late Thursday night. He was released Friday following additional tests, according to David Toms Foundation director Adam Young.
"He was clutching his chest and said he couldn't breathe,"
said Shaun Micheel, who was paired with Toms. "It shook me up. He
went down to his knee, got up and walked a few steps and then went
back to his knee. When an ambulance backs up to the first tee, it
tells you it's a little more serious."
Toms, an 11-time Tour winner, was playing in the 84 Lumber
tournament as a tuneup for the Presidents Cup that starts Thursday.