KAPALUA, Hawaii — Zach Johnson still looks at himself as David, even though the results are starting to suggest Goliath.

Growing up in Iowa, his passion for sports was fueled by the player or the team that was not big enough, not strong enough, not good enough to win. He had reason to feel that way at Kapalua for the Tournament of Champions, where he started the final round two shots behind on a course that is suited for power players.

It proved to be the perfect recipe for another victory.

Johnson didn’t blast his way around the Plantation Course as much as he picked it apart, mostly with his irons, especially with his putter.

He tied for the lead with an approach from 195 yards into 4 feet for birdie on No. 7. He took the outright lead with a wedge into 2 feet on No. 12. And he pulled away from Jordan Spieth, Jason Dufner, Kevin Streelman and everyone else with three straight birdies for a 7-under 66.

“Hit some quality shots that certainly helped,” he said. “But I think quality putts helped even more.”

Johnson started a new year the same way he ended the last one — by winning.

Three shots behind, Spieth closed with two birdies for a 70 to finish one shot behind.

Streelman had a 67 and tied for third with Webb Simpson, who had a 70.