This Week in Golf -- Jen. 4 through Jan. 7

Philadelphia, PA – PGA TOUR - HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, Kapalua Resort (Plantation Course), Kapalua, Hawaii - The 2013 PGA Tour season kicks off in Hawaii on Friday with 30 players in the field for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Steve Stricker carded a pair of 69s in the final two rounds last year as he beat Martin Laird by two strokes. Stricker's worst finish in his last four appearances at Kapalua was a tie for 10th in 2010.

The Wisconsin native will be the only previous winner of the event in the field this week. He'll have strong competition in his quest to repeat as champion.

Reigning major champions Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson are both in the field. Watson has played here the last two years and his best finish came last year when he tied for 18th, while Simpson shared third place in his first appearance at Kapalua in 2012.

Players Champion Matt Kuchar tied for sixth here in 2011, while Tour Championship winner Brandt Snedeker is making his first appearance after skipping the tournament last year.

The last two years saw a pair injuries in the surf. Two years ago Lucas Glover sprained his knee while paddle boarding and last year Geoff Ogilvy cut his finger on some coral.

This event starts a shortened season as what was the Fall Series will now start the 2013-14 season in October. There will be seven fewer tournaments due to the truncated season.

Golf Channel will have coverage of all four rounds of the event that is being played Friday to Monday. NBC has some early action on Sunday, while Monday's final round is slated to end at 8 p.m. (et), while the other three rounds are slated to finish at 10 p.m.

The PGA Tour remains in Hawaii next week for the Sony Open, where Johnson Wagner won by two strokes last.