Dustin Johnson full of confidence after victory in PGA Tour season opener
Dustin Johnson hopes his victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions will set the tone for the season.
Last Updated: 09/01/13 7:21am
The big-hitting American fired a composed final-round 68 to earn a four-shot victory over Steve Stricker in the weather-hit season opener at Kapalua - Johnson's seventh PGA Tour title.
"It gives me a lot of confidence going into this year," said Johnson. "I played really good golf the last two days.
"It's tough when you have a three-shot lead to stay aggressive. I just hit a couple of bad drives that cost me a few shots but other than that I played really good golf.
Defending champion Stricker got to within one of the lead when Johnson double-bogeyed the 13th, only for Johnson to pitch in for eagle at the next before adding birdies at 15 and 18.
"I knew it was going to be tough, but I gave it run for a little while," Stricker said. "He hit a couple of wayward drives and opened the door a little bit.
"Then he stepped up there with a driver again on 14, piped it, and chips it in. Most guys would have been pulling out an iron or some utility club. It's amazing that he even did that.
"It looks like very little fear in him. He'll hit one a little crooked, but he'll pull out that driver again and try it again. And he pulled it off, especially at 14.
"That was the deciding shot and chip for the tournament. Expect a lot of good things as he continues his career."