Toms sets the pace in Bermuda

LATE replacement David Toms led Ernie Els by one and left Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer trailing well behind in the first round of the 36-hole Grand Slam at Port Royal in Bermuda yesterday.

The event was supposed to be between the winners of this season’s four majors, but Els came in for Masters champion Phil Mickelson and then Toms was contacted after British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen injured an ankle.

The American returned a five-under-par 67, but Els birdied the last to move right onto his heels while US Open champion McDowell had a one-over 72 and Kaymer a 74.

Ryder Cup hero McDowell suffered a huge setback on the 436-yard 11th. One under at the time, the Irishman bunkered his approach and then thinned his third shot out of bounds. The hole cost him a triple-bogey seven.