MAUI, Hawaii: America's Dustin Johnson captured the PGA Tour's season-opening event on Tuesday, firing a five-under 68 to win the weather-shortened Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

The big-hitting 28-year-old won the 54-hole event by four strokes, finishing at 16-under 203 for his seventh PGA Tour title.

"It gives me a lot of confidence going into this year," Johnson said. "I played really good golf the last two days.

"I stayed aggressive and hit a couple of bad drives but other than that I played really good golf today."

The tournament was originally supposed to conclude Monday but it didn't officially begin until Monday because of heavy winds at the Kapalua Plantation Course.

Extreme conditions forced organisers to shorten the tournament to 54 holes, with 36 holes taking place on a marathon Monday.

Johnson headed into the final round with a three-shot lead over defending champion Steve Stricker. He maintained his lead during the first Tuesday finish on the Tour in six years.

Stricker had to battle through a nerve problem in his upper thigh. He shot a 69 and finished alone in second place at 12-under.

"He came back strong, I knew it was going to be tough today but I gave him a bit of a run for a while," Stricker said.

Brandt Snedeker (69) placed third at 10-under. Bubba Watson (71) and Keegan Bradley (70) tied for fourth at minus-nine. -AFP

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