Zach Johnson Nails Down 11th Tour Title


Zach Johnson closed with a stellar seven-birdie 66 to win the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The PGA Tour's erstwhile season-opener, on the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui, had a rare non-weather-related Monday finish.

In recording his 11th PGA Tour win - the eighth in come-from-behind fashion, Johnson finished at 19-under 273, a shot ahead of Jordan Spieth, who carded a 69. Two strokes back were Kevin Streelman and Webb Simpson, who carded 67 and 70, respectively.

At a venue that plays 7,411 yards and typically favors the PGA Tour's longer hitters, the precise Johnson stuck to his game plan for the victory, worth $1.14 million and 500 FedEx Cup points.

"I picked it apart," the 37-year-old Iowan said after posting three birdies on the front nine and four more on the back at the Coore-Crenshaw-designed course. "I didn't deviate from what I do on the golf course. It's fairways and greens for me."

Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, has been on a hot streak of late. He won the BMW Championship in September and out-dueled Tiger Woods in a playoff at last month's Northwestern Mutual World Challenge.

Reigning PGA champion Jason Dufner closed with a 69 to take solo fifth at 277. Tied for sixth another shot back were Billy Horschel - who matched Johnson for the low round of the day, a 66, Matt Kuchar (67), Adam Scott (69) and defending champion Dustin Johnson, who closed with an even-par 73.

Ryan Moore (69) took solo 10th at 279, and another stroke back in the winners-only, 30-player field were Harris English (69) and Brandt Snedeker (72). Brian Gay (70), Woody Austin (71) and Gary Woodland (73) tied for 13th at 282, and another shot back in 16th were Michael Thompson (72), Ken Duke (72), Patrick Reed (73) and Chris Kirk (73).

Scotland's Martin Laird ended up in 20th at 283 after a 70, and Sweden's Jonas Blixt (70), South Korean Sang-Moon Bae (72) and Jimmy Walker (72) were in 21st at 285. Bill Haas (74) and Scott Brown (75) tied for 24th at 287, with Boo Weekley (73) another stroke back.

Rounding out the leaderboard were Russell Henley (75, 289), D.A. Points (73) and John Merrick (74) at 292, and Derek Ernst (70, 301).

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.