On a Plantation Course at Kapalua that should be paradise for the game's longest hitters, Zach Johnson chipped in for his opening birdie and then hit four exquisite wedge shots on the back nine Monday to rally from two shots behind, close with a 7-under 66 and win the Hyundai Tournament of Champions
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. He wound up with a one-shot win over Jordan Spieth, the perfect way to start a new year.
Johnson, starting his 11th season on the PGA TOUR, won for the 11th time in his career and moved to 7th in the FedExCup standings. Since his rookie season in 2004, only Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have won more on the PGA TOUR. It also was Johnson's third win in his last six starts, dating to the BMW Championship outside Chicago in September that qualified him for this winners-only tournament in Kapalua
Webb Simpson, tied with Spieth and defending champion Dustin Johnson to start the final round, never caught up and closed with a 70. Simpson tied for third with Kevin Streelman, who had a 67. With his finish, however, Simpson moved to the top of the FedExCup standings.
Jason Dufner was four strokes back in fifth after a 69. Dustin Johnson made three bogeys before making his first birdie. He shot 73 and tied for sixth
Live scoring click http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/hyundai-tournament-of-champions/leaderboard.html
Masters champion Adam Scott narrowly beat out Tiger Woods as the male player of the year in voting by the Golf Writers Association of America. The GWAA takes into account more than just a player's performance on the PGA Tour. Scott won four times around the world, none bigger than his playoff victory at Augusta National to become the first Australian in a green jacket
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP CP )
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