Scott charges, but Johnson wins in Hawaii

Friday, 10 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Adam Scott’s last hole bogey proved expensive as Zach Johnson showed why he’s golf’s hottest player at the Tournament of Champions. Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 66 to win by one stroke from fellow American Jordan Spieth (69) at 19-under 273 on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii.

Bidding to close the rankings gap on absent world No.1 Tiger Woods, Australia’s world No.2 Scott started the final round four off the pace but surged within one shot of the lead with three birdies then an eagle on the par 5 15th. However the Masters champion made bogey on the par 5 18th to finish with a 69 and eventually slip into a share of sixth place on 278. One of the shorter hitters on tour but possessing a deadly short game, world No.9 Johnson should finally get more of the attention he deserves after claiming his 11th US PGA Tour title. Since his rookie year in 2004, only Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have won more on the US tour. 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. It was Johnson’s third win in his past six starts, dating to the BMW Championship outside Chicago in September that qualified him for the Kapalua event for 2013 US tour winners only. Those wins include the non-official World Challenge in California where he holed a shot from the drop zone on the final hole and wound up beating tournament host Woods in a playoff. Americans Kevin Streelman (67) and Webb Simpson (70) tied for third on 275, two shots ahead of fifth-placed Billy Horschel (66).