Johnson wins TOC

Last updated: 9th January 2013

World number 12 Dustin Johnson got his 2013 campaign off to a winning start at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions on Tuesday.

Johnson, heading into the final round of the tournament with a healthy lead, held his nerve to secure a four-stroke victory, having finished the tournament on 16-under-par.

With the win Johnson became the first player since Tiger Woods to win a tournament in each of his first six seasons on the tour.

In what were without the easiest conditions of the week, Johnson closed with a five-under 68 on the final day.

His closest competitors were Steve Stricker, who finished on 12-under while FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker finished on 10-under for the tournament.

"It (the win) gives me a lot of confidence going into this year," said Johnson. "I'm very pleased to come out and get a win this week. I played really good golf the past two days," he added.

While the score would suggest otherwise, the final round wasn't always comfortable for Johnson, who again struggled with his short game.

In addition, Johnson carded bogeys on the ninth and the 13th, which was a direct result of two badly executed drives.

His lead was subsequently stripped to just one shot. Despite these apparent blunders DJ, as Johnson is more affectionately known, held his nerve down the back stretch to secure the win.

''It was nowhere near ho-hum,'' said Johnson. ''I had to really fight hard.''

Johnson's big hitting, which almost cost him the title, also proved his strength though. He set up an eagle opportunity on the 14th - which he exploited - thanks to a drive which nearly reached the green on the 304-yard par four.

More significantly, Johnson played without fear throughout the tournament. Despite the early blunders with the driver, he continued to hit them long and far - many golfers would opt for the more conservative route under similar circumstances - and ultimately it paid off.

More surprising than Stricker actually winning this tournament last year, was the fact that he kept himself in contention this year, despite what was an ordinary first round. Experience is often taken for granted.