Dustin Johnson wins Hyundai Tournament of Champions
- Wednesday, 9 January 2013
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Dustin Johnson [Getty Images]
American Dustin Johnson has won the first event of the 2013 PGA Tour season, triumphing by four shots over Steve Stricker at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
The tournament - staged at Kapalua's Plantation Course - was reduced to 54 holes because of 50mph winds. It eventually got underway on Monday, believed to be the first Monday start in PGA Tour history.
The tournament did start as planned on Friday, but the howling gusts caused the first round to be abandoned with all scores declared null and void.
The tempestuous conditions carried on over the weekend, meaning the players were tasked with playing 36 holes on Monday.
Dustin Johnson was tied for the lead with Nick Watney and start-of-season expert Mark Wilson on four-under-par after round one, but he surged clear with a second round 66. Defending champion Steve Stricker was two behind on nine-under-par after 36 holes.
Johnson started the final round well, and covered the first 12 holes in three-under-par.
He would double-bogey the 13th hole after a wayward drive, but recovered in fine style with a chip-in eagle at the par-4 14th. Another birdie would follow at the 15th, and a four on the par-5 18th sealed a comprehensive victory.
"It gives me a lot of confidence going in to this year," said Johnson.
"I'm very pleased to come out and get a win this week. I played great golf the last two days."
Stricker - who announced he will play a reduced schedule this year - finished four adrift of Johnson, with 2012 FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker two shots further back on 10-under-par.
Bubba Watson and Keegan Bradley ended the week in a tie for fourth place on nine-under-par.
Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Plantation Course, Kapalua, Hawaii
January 4-8
Purse: $5,700,000
1) Dustin Johnson (USA) 69 66 68 = 203 $1,140,000
2) Steve Stricker (USA) 71 67 69 = 207 $665,000
3) Brandt Snedeker (USA) 70 70 69 = 209 $432,000
T4) Bubba Watson (USA) 70 69 71 = 210 $304,000
T4) Keegan Bradley (USA) 71 69 70 = 210 $304,000
T6) Rickie Fowler (USA) 70 74 67 = 211 $212,500
T6) Tommy Gainey (USA) 72 69 70 = 211 $212,500
8) Carl Pettersson (SWE) 70 72 70 = 214 $190,00
T9) Ian Poulter (ENG) 71 74 69 = 214 $175,000
T9) Matt Kuchar (USA) 74 71 69 = 214 $175,000
Scores in bold signify Titleist golf ball usage.
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