Featured group: Former champs at Waialae

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David Toms (2006), Mark Wilson (2011) and Zach Johnson (2009) have all won at Waialae.

HONOLULU -- The trio of Mark Wilson, David Toms and Zach Johnson have plenty in common, but three things stand out going into Thursday's first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.

• All three are past Sony Open champions

• All three are among the most accurate players on the PGA TOUR off the tee

• All three will be in the same group for the first two rounds at Waialae

The latter is especially intriguing, since it will give fans a chance to watch three guys of similar style match their ball-striking abilities on a course that obviously suits their games.

"We have similar games," Wilson said. "We don't bomb it. We are all, I think, pretty similar in terms of driving distance and we usually hole a lot of putts. So I think it's going to be a very fun group."

Wilson won the Sony Open last year; Johnson won in 2009; and Toms won in 2006. In each of their respective wins, they ranked inside the top 10 in the field in total driving, certainly a big key to their wins on a tight course.

Incidentally, Johnson and Toms played together in the final round in 2009. Johnson shot 65 to win, while Toms finished tied for second after shooting 66.

MORE ON TOMS: Making his 10th start here. Has three top-10 finishes, including his win ... Didn't play here last year but finished T-43rd in 2010 ... Dating back to the second round in 2005, Toms has played 19 consecutive rounds at par or better at Waialae ... When he won in 2006, Toms ranked fourth in total driving, second in greens in regulation, second in Strokes Gained-Putting and first in proximity to the hole.

MORE ON WILSON: Making his sixth start in the Sony Open. Last year's win was the first time he had finished in the top 10 at Waialae ... In six of his last seven rounds on the course, he has shot in the 60s ... Traditionally plays better in the second round (67.60 scoring average) than the first round (69.60) at this event.

MORE ON JOHNSON: Making his seventh start in the Sony Open. Like Wilson, his win in 2009 was his only top-10 finish here ... When he won here, he ranked second in the field in putting outside 10 feet ... Has a second-round scoring average of 67.33 on this course.

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