A special victory
Jhonattan Vegas dedicates Canadian Open win to family
Jhonattan Vegas was glued to his phone.
The 29-year-old Venezuelan walked into the media conference centre set up at Glen Abbey Golf Club in the midst of a video call with his wife and baby daughter, then put the phone down briefly to answer questions from reporters about winning the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday. As soon as Vegas stepped off the stage he was back on the phone, speaking with his family in Spanish, celebrating his second PGA Tour win.
“I didn’t have a chance to talk to them after I knew that I had won and it’s special seeing them that happy, enjoying that moment as much as I am enjoying it right now,” said Vegas. “It’s just an incredible moment, just to share it with the family, with the wife, with the people you love and care about. It’s great.”
Vegas birdied the final three holes at Glen Abbey Golf Club for an 8-under 64 and onestroke victory. The 29-year-old Venezuelan began the day five strokes behind leader Brandt Snedeker, and four behind U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian amateur Jared du Toit.
He earned US$1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey and received a two-year tour exemption as well as a spot in the Masters next year.
Althugh Vegas’s playoff win at the Bob Hope Classic in 2011 launched his PGA career, the Canadian Open victory was more special.
“It definitely feels bigger, feels more exciting because I have a family to share this with,” said Vegas. “Just to see my wife and my baby so excited, from watching me on TV, just the whole thing.
“It makes me happier and makes me definitely more excited and definitely gives me more energy obviously to keep playing hard to give it my best every single time.”
After speaking to media Vegas asked to see the tournament’s trophy again so he could show it to his family by phone and pose for photos. Even as he patiently waited for each picture to be taken he kept his phone - with his family still on the line - in his hand.
Du Toit started the day tied for second and was in the top pairing with leader Brandt Snedeker.
The 21-year-old Arizona State University player struggled in the front nine with two bogeys and a birdie before rallying with three birdies and a bogey in the back. Du Toit finished the day a 1-under 71 and tied for ninth at 9 under.
Du Toit had nothing but praise for the Canadian fans.
“Unbelievable. The atmosphere they were providing was unbelievable,” said du Toit, who added that he lost count of how many high fives he doled out on Sunday, but that there were enough to make his hands sore. “Every tee box, every green, everyone was clapping, hollering, ‘Go Canada!’
“It was truly unbelievable. I’m on cloud nine right now.”