Last year’s PGA Tour winners to begin golf year at Hawaii event

KAPALUA, Hawaii — Dustin Johnson sat outside the Honolua Store on the first day of the new year, scarfing down breakfast as the sun was starting to filter through the Cook pines that line the entrance to Kapalua.

He closed the lid on his carton and announced, “Let’s go.”

That sums up the anticipation of the start to golf’s year.

Johnson is No. 1 in the world, a 33-year-old entering his prime who won four times last year. Right behind him in the world ranking are Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama, four players 25 or younger.

“I think this year, the unknowns are very exciting,” Spieth said.