2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions: Top 10 power rankings at Kapalua

The Tournament of Champions has been on the PGA Tour schedule since 1953. Only two other players have won by more than Dustin Johnson’s eight-shot romp in 2018: Gene Littler won by 13 in 1955 and David Duval by nine in 1999.

DJ torched Kapalua to the tune of 69-68-66-65 to not only win by eight, but to beat third place by nine and fourth place by 10. His near ace Sunday at the 430-yard par-4 sixth was one of his all-time great shots. That’s saying something for a two-time major champion and 24-time PGA Tour winner.

Speaking of majors, Johnson just snagged one recently. Albeit at a soft, November Augusta National, the South Carolinian set the Masters scoring record by reaching 20-under and cruising to victory.

DJ already got the major championship monkey off his back by winning the 2016 U.S. Open, but a player of his stature would have been disappointed to end his career with just one. Not that Johnson’s the type to get too wrapped up about these things, but I think getting that green jacket could free him up even more.

The world No. 1 has created plenty of separation in the rankings. When you win thrice in a year (Travelers, Northern Trust), that’s bound to happen.

He should be plenty rested coming into the week after over a month off. There may be some rust to shake off, though playing a course he’s very familiar with will help. DJ is making his 12th Tournament of Champions appearance.

He also won in a rain-shortened 2013 event (69-66-68) and has never fared worse than T-16th. He finished top 10 in his last eight trips, including T-7th (72-71-71-69) in 2020.