What a difference a week makes for Vegas
Jhonattan Vegas was on the Glen Abbey practice range, staying loose in case overtime was needed, when he was given the word. No playoff necessary. And just like that, Vegas could celebrate his second PGA Tour win and the big-money payday that goes along with the RBC Canadian Open title. He also won a berth in the PGA Championship, which gets underway Thursday at Baltusrol in Springfield, N.J. “It’s a crazy sport,” Vegas said. “Last week (at the Barbasol Championship) I had a six-shot lead going into the weekend and lost by three. (Sunday) I was five back and won by one. You’ve just got to keep your head down and play hard at every shot.”
Vegas, a Venezuelan who will represent his country in the Rio Olympics next month, posted an 8-under 64 to leapfrog into first place, then waited — and hit a few balls — to see if it would hold up.
Steve Wheatcroft, a 38-year-old American looking for his first PGA win, took his best shot before coming up two strokes short thanks, in part, to a wayward bunker blast that found the drink at 18.
Then, in succession, Martin Laird, Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, the third-round leader, all failed to catch Vegas.
Laird, Johnson and Jon Rahm, a former Arizona State teammate of Canadian amateur sensation Jared du Toit, shared second place, a stroke back of Vegas.
“I played a very good two rounds, first one and today, and then the other two weren’t great and I still had a chance to win,” said Rahm, a Spaniard who turned pro in the spring. “I’m hoping one day to be able to put four rounds together and get a win. I’m really close. I just need to keep playing the way I am and hopefully I get it done.”
Snedeker (1-under 71), Ricky Barnes (68), Alex Cejka (69) and Wheatcroft (69) all tied for fifth place. Du Toit of Calgary wound up tied for ninth with Geoff Ogilvy, Ben Crane and Matt Kuchar at 9-under 279.
Vegas started the final round 4-under, five shots off Snedeker’s pace, but carded a scorching 64 to take the lead. He could have matched the low score of the day but his eagle putt on 18 came up short and he tapped in for birdie.
“To be honest, I didn’t really watch the leaderboard that much,” Vegas said.
“I just kept the pedal down the whole time. You just can’t take anything for granted.”
While Vegas put the hammer down, Johnson and Snedeker flinched. Both had realistic chances to at least force a playoff on the 18th hole — it would have taken a eagle — but Johnson could only birdie and Snedeker settled for par after putting his approach in a greenside bunker.
“Putting myself in position to win a golf tournament and to play the way I did today is disappointing,” Snedeker said, a former champion.
“It’s going to be a tough night. Very frustrating to say the least. I completely gave it away.”
And Vegas, baby, was there to snatch it, winning for the first time since his second PGA start back in 2011.
“This definitely feels bigger,” Vegas said after a quick post-win FaceTime session with his wife Alba and four-month old daughter Sharlene.
“It feels more exciting because I have a family to share this with. ”