Johnson captures season-opening event in Hawaii
Print Edition
Zach Johnson won the Tournament of Champions after rolling in seven birdies en route to a bogey-free 66 in the final round at Kapalua Resort on Monday in Hawaii.
On a Plantation Course that should be paradise for the game’s longest hitters, Johnson chipped in for his opening birdie and then hit four exquisite wedge shots on the back nine to rally from two shots behind to win by one shot over Jordan Spieth.
“I just picked it apart,” said Johnson, who shot a 66 and finished at 19-under 273.
That was pivotal on the back nine, where five players had a chance to win. Johnson ran off four birdies in a five-hole stretch, all of them with a wedge in his hand, none of the shots particularly easy.
“Getting the ball in the fairway and giving my wedges a chance was crucial,” he said. “It’s about plotting my way, putting myself in a yardage spot that I know is going to give me an opportunity.”
Johnson won for the 11th time in his career. Since his rookie season in 2004, only Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have won more on the tour.
It also was his third win in his last six starts, dating to the BMW Championship outside Chicago in September that qualified him for the winners-only event in Kapalua.
The 20-year-old Spieth birdied both par 5s on the front nine and looked as though he might become the youngest player with two PGA Tour wins since Ralph Guldahl in 1932.
He had a one-shot lead going midway through the final round but missed three good birdie chances in the soft, middle portion of the back nine before finishing with two birdies for a 70.
“I was very pleased with the finish, being able to birdie the last two holes and at least have somewhat of a chance on 18,” said Spieth, who missed a 100-foot eagle putt just off the front of the green to force a playoff. “But ultimately, 14, 15, 16 really kind of hit me hard in the middle of the back nine.”
Webb Simpson tied for third with Kevin Streelman, who had a 67.
Jason Dufner was four strokes back in fifth after a 69. Dustin Johnson (73) and Australian Adam Scott (69) were another stroke back in a four-way tie for sixth.
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