Johnson holds firm for Hawaii win

FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-15 Z Johnson (US) -13 A Scott (Aus), D Toms (US) -12 C Howell III (US)
Selected others: -6 L Donald (Eng) -5 G Owen (Eng), G Ogilvy (Aus) -4 E Els (SA) -3 B Davis (Eng)

Former Masters champion Zach Johnson held on to his overnight lead to claim the Sony Open title in Hawaii.

The American, who won at Augusta in 2007, fired a closing 65 to end 15 under, two shots clear of countryman David Toms and Australia's Adam Scott.

Scott carded a 64 to climb up the leaderboard, while American Charles Howell was fourth at 12 under.

England's Luke Donald was the top European at six under, while South African Ernie Els ended four under.

Johnson, 32, also won the Texas Open in October and has now claimed five PGA Tour titles in total and three in consecutive seasons.

"It is good to know that the work I put in is paying off"

"That was tough. It was a different win," Johnson said. "The wind was a little gusty times. I feel fortunate to have come out on top."

Johnson entered Sunday's final round with a one-shot lead and extended it to three early in the front nine, but was caught by playing partner Toms and Howell at the turn.

But he started for home with consecutive birdies and added two more at the 14th and 18th to wrap up the win.

"I am encouraged with the way I started off this year," added Johnson, who tied for sixth at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship last week.

"It is good to know that the work I put in is paying off. I am thankful for that.

"The progress and the road to get to this is what is enjoyable."

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Toms also birdied the 10th and remained in touch in second after picking up another shot at the 15th but could get no closer and ended with a 66.

Up ahead Howell birdied 16 and 17 to briefly share the lead before bogeying the 18th, also for a 66, while Scott made a late charge with five birdies in a back nine of 30.

"I was obviously hoping to get a victory today but Zach played awfully well," said former US PGA champion Toms, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour who has not triumphed since the 2006 Sony Open.

"I was proud of the way I hung in there and put pressure on him, through the whole back nine. He's a good player and tough to beat."

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