For 72 holes this week, David Toms marched the Waialae Country Club course with an unseen friend by his side and a silent yet fervent wish in his heart.

Through sometimes gusty winds and mounting pressure, Toms played the Sony Open in Hawai'i drawing strength and inspiration from Adam Young, a close friend who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in Louisiana.

For three days Toms spoke hardly a word outside of his close circle of his hope to win the tournament and the intention to dedicate it to Young, who was to have watched on television from back home.

But as he strode to the 18th green yesterday to put the finishing putt on a 19-under-par 261 for a five-stroke victory and heard announcer Danny Kaleikini tell the crowd, "No question, he's our champion of the Sony Open for 2006," Toms' blue-gray eyes moistened. Then, he clamped a bite on his lip, attempting to hold back the emotion.

For one of the few times all week the self-described man, "who tries not to show much," showed a lot as he doffed his cap. The guy who says his emotions and feelings are "more on the inside" turned some loose.

Many people, including those he played with, thought it was pent-up emotional relief after proving Toms could come back from his own medical problems, a heart ailment that saw him airlifted off the course at the 84 Lumber Classic in September and subsequent corrective procedure at the Mayo Clinic in November. Toms, however, maintained it was more than that. More recent and more powerful.

"That was a tough thing (holding it all back)," Toms said afterward. "You know I almost said something about that walking (off) the 18th fairway but I thought maybe he (Young) wouldn't want me to say anything so I didn't. But, yeah, he's been on my mind all week for sure."

The 33-year-old Young runs the David Toms Foundation that the Web site — david tomsfoundation.com — said has so far given more than $600,000 to help 80 families that were victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"He and Adam are very close and Adam's situation is something that has been with him this week," caddie Scott Gneiser said.

"He (Young) is such a great guy and I know what he's battling right now," Toms said. "He's got three little babies at home. He's been 100 percent for me and with me and certainly this is for him, sure.

"Adam was diagnosed recently with Hodgkin's Disease and, you know, it is a curable thing and he has a great attitude," Toms said. "And, I try to use that to try and have the same attitude he has."

So when Toms found himself going head-to-head yesterday with Chad Campbell, who he started the day tied with and battled side-by-side in threesomes over the final 36 holes, he drew on that attitude. When Rory Sabbatini made a final-round run, Toms remained strong.

Afterward, Toms said, "Sometimes golf is not as hard as it is other times."

This week, in which Toms had thoughts of a friend at his side to guide him, would be one of them.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.