Pack of contenders primed to usurp Johnson as world No 1

KAPALUA, Hawaii - Dustin Johnson sat outside a Honolua restaurant on the first day of the new year, scarfing down the "hobo breakfast" of steamed rice and eggs as the sun was just starting to filter through the pine trees that line the entrance to Kapalua Country Club.

He abruptly closed the lid on his carton and announced, "Let's go."

That about sums up the anticipation of the start to a new year in golf.