Johnson withdraws from Sony Open with the flu

HONOLULU (AP) - Dustin Johnson withdrew Friday after nine holes at the Sony Open because of the flu.

Johnson was coming off a four-shot win last week in the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, which started Monday and raced to a 54-hole finish a day later because of high wind.

He opened with a 70 at Waialae and was 3 over on the front nine - at least four shots away from making the cut - when he informed tournament officials that he was too ill to continue.

Johnson had a chance this week to join Ernie Els as the only players to sweep the two Hawaii tournaments at the start of the year. Els won both in 2003.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.