Extra practice to serve Johnson well at Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Published:One of the biggest certainties in golf in 2013 is that Dustin Johnson must surely end the year higher in the world rankings than his current position of 23 and a victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Championships would be a major help in this regard.
Johnson has previously been as high as number four, but had to sit out for three months between March and June last year because of a back injury and then took six weeks off after the Ryder Cup.
He is now back and raring to go, with the aim of challenging the likes of Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Tiger Woods for the honour of being world number one.
His quest begins on the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii and it appears he has put in full dedication ahead of his fourth appearance at the event.
According to reports, Johnson was the first to arrive in Hawaii and has been out on the course every morning since, working on elements of his game.
The extra course knowledge gained must be an asset over a hindrance and 14/1 seems reasonable value that this brings about a victory in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Being the only par-73 course on the PGA Tour calendar should be of an additional assistance to Johnson, with the longer the circuit the better given his immense driving power.
Furthermore, he has put in countless hours with Butch Harmon with the desire of improving his sometimes below-par short game.
Steve Stricker is the only former winner of this event in this year’s field, following his three-shot triumph over Martin Laird last time.
He is one of five golfers priced at 12/1 for victory, behind stand-alone favourite Matt Kuchar at 10/1.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
