Establishment (Steve Stricker) vs. New Breed (Dustin Johnson)

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KAPALUA, Hawaii -- One of the themes for the 2011 PGA TOUR season, which kicks off this week with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, will be the competition involving the Establishment vs. the New Breed. How will the established players -- those with significant TOUR experience and long-standing championship pedigree -- fare against the young, hungry up-and-comers who are looking to nudge their way into the TOUR's elite?

Each week, PGATOUR.COM will select two players -- one from the New Breed and one for the Establishment -- and analyze their chances heading into the tournament. We'll then track which player has the better score for his team, and keep a running tally throughout the year.

This week, we've selected Dustin Johnson for the New Breed and Steve Stricker for the Establishment. Those players will be paired together in Thursday's first round, with a tee time of 5:40 p.m. ET (12:40 p.m. Hawaii time).

After just seven wins by players in their 20s in 2009, the TOUR saw 16 official victories by that age group in 2010.

Johnson is ready to get the New Breed off to a strong start this year.

"I think the young guys, we had a really good year last year," Johnson said. "We won a lot of golf tournaments and that's what we have to keep doing. We have to keep winning golf tournaments, stepping up, and we need to win a few majors."

Let the competition begin.

ESTABLISHMENT AGE: 43 YEARS ON TOUR: Starting his 18th full season on TOUR. OVERVIEW: Comes off a year in which he won twice, finished seventh in FedExCup points and made the cut in every one of his 19 starts. Obviously, that won't be an issue in this week's limited-field no-cut event, but his active cuts-made streak of 23 is the best on TOUR and typifies his steadiness from week to week. STATE OF HIS GAME: Played in two events in December (Chevron World Challenge and Shark Shootout) and also played three days in "freezing Phoenix," he said. But otherwise, until he arrived in Hawaii, his practice time has been limited in his native Wisconsin. Not that it makes much difference to the veteran. A year ago, he posted three consecutive top-10 finishes to start the season, including a win at the Northern Trust Open. "I enjoy the early part of the season, even though I'm not able to play a lot," he said. "I'm fresh mentally, and that counts for something. ... I don't mind coming out of the snow. I'm used to it." HISTORY IN THIS EVENT: Four starts, with his best finish a solo second in 2008 when he shot a final-round 64. Last year, he tied for 10th, shooting 68-66 on the weekend. OUTLOOK THIS WEEK: Stricker has shown he can go low but he's not long off the tee (ranking 134th in driving distance in 2010) and that might limit his effectiveness. Click here for a 2011 preview of Stricker   NEW BREED AGE: 26 YEARS ON TOUR: Starting his fourth full season on TOUR. OVERVIEW: Comes off a year in which he won twice and, just as memorably, nearly won two majors before suffering misfortune in the final round. The fact that he brushed aside those disappointments at the U.S. Open and PGA Championship and eventually won the BMW Championship en route to a fifth-place finish in the FedExCup speaks volumes about his ability to compartmentalize and focus. STATE OF HIS GAME: Took 13 days off before coming to Hawaii but isn't worried about rust. However, he is hoping to improve his wedge play this year, specifically in terms of distance control. Johnson ranked 148th on TOUR in sand saves last year and 192nd in approaches from 75-100 yards. "Wedges is where I can improve a bunch," Johnson said. "... I made a lot of bogeys last year with a wedge in my hand." HISTORY IN THIS EVENT: In two previous starts, he has failed to post a top-10 finish. He was solo 11th in his first appearance here in 2009. OUTLOOK THIS WEEK: Johnson is looking to become the first player since Tiger Woods (1996-99) to win in four consecutive years straight out of college. Given his length off the tee -- he ranked third in driving distance last year -- it'd be no surprise if he takes care of business this week. Click here for a 2011 preview of Johnson