Johnson opens 2018 with win in Hawaii

A new year brought out the best in Dustin Johnson, who powered his way to an eight-under-par 65 and an eight-shot win in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

In a field that featured the top five players in the world, Johnson made a strong opening statement that the No. 1 ranking he has held for nearly a year might be difficult to take away.

Johnson stretched a two-shot lead to six strokes at the turn, then delivered the biggest moment of the week with a drive on the parfour 12th hole that stopped six inches from the cup for a tap-in eagle. He finished at 24-under 268 for his 17th career victory.

Jon Rahm closed with a 69 to finish second and move to No. 3 in the world.

Tennessee defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie and Clemson receiver Ray-Ray McCloud will skip their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft . ... Florida State hired Michigan State defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett as defensive coordinator . ... Unbeaten Central Florida celebrated its self-proclaimed national championship with a parade at Walt Disney World.

Nick Kyrgios won an ATP title on home soil for the first time, beating Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-2 at the Brisbane International in Australia . ... French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was upset 7-6 (3), 6-1 by Ekaterina Makarova in the first round of the Sydney International. U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens also lost, falling to Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi 6-3, 6-0 . ... Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka withdrew from the Australian Open. Azarenka has been involved in a custody dispute involving her son, who was born last Dec. 19. She hasn't competed anywhere since Wimbledon.