Dustin Johnson takes home the Hyundai Tournament of Champions title
Dustin Johnson fired a five-under par 68, in the third and final round of the weather-affected Hyundai Tournament of Champions, to record a four-stroke victory over Steve Stricker, on Tuesday, December 8, 2013.
The tournament was being staged at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, featuring only the PGA Tour winners from the 2012 golf season.
According to the tournament’s qualifying policy, and as its name suggests, only the player who record victories in the season become eligible to participate in the PGA Tour’s season-opener.
The tournament was scheduled to start on Friday, December 4, 2013. However, the tournament officials decided to call off the first two rounds, due to unplayable conditions at the venue course. The inclement weather did not allow the players to play a single
shot on the course.
As a result, the event started on Monday, with officials shortening the play to 54 holes. Right from the beginning of the tournament, Johnson remained consistent and did not allow anyone to come close to him on the leaderboard.
Entering the final round, he had a three-stroke lead over Stricker. He then carded six birdies and an amazing eagle, against one bogey and a lone double bogey, to take home the prestigious title. Johnson’s victory marked his sixth straight season with a
professional win.
Talking to the reporters after winning the tournament, Johnson said that he made some mistakes during the final round. In the meantime, he also expressed his pleasure in making a strong comeback after every bad shot he played.
“It definitely got close out there today,” Johnson said. “Sometimes I hit a couple of bad drives, but I was always able to bounce back and do what I needed to do to stay out front”.
Stricker, who finished second, also praised the way Johnson played in the tournament.
“It looks like very little fear in him,” Stricker said. “Because 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”.
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