Vegas rallies, wins Canadian Open

Jhonattan Vegas birdied his way off Glen Abbey and waited to see if anyone could catch him. No one could.

Vegas rallied to win the Canadian Open in Oakville, Ontario, on Sunday for his second PGA Tour title, birdieing the final three holes for an 8-under 64 and one-stroke victory.

The 29-year-old Venezuelan Olympic player began the day five strokes behind leader Brandt Snedeker and four behind U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian amateur Jared du Toit.

Vegas had five straight birdies on Nos. 2-6, bogeyed the par-4 eighth and also birdied the par-5 13th. He birdied the par-5 16th, par-4 17th and par-5 18th to post at 12-under 276.

Johnson, Jon Rahm and Martin Laird tied for second.

Vegas earned $1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey. He also received a two-year tour exemption and a spot in the Masters next year.

He also won the 2011 Bob Hope Classic. Last week in Alabama in the event opposite the British Open, Vegas tied for fourth after shooting a course-record 61 in the second round.

Johnson eagled the 16th and birdied the 18th for a 69. Laird finished with two pars in a 67. Rahm, du Toit’s former Arizona State teammate, birdied 16 and 18 in a 67. The Spaniard missed a 10-foot eagle putt on 18. Snedeker shot a 71 to tie for fifth at 10 under.

Lewis and Piller ran to the green for a group hug with Kerr when it was over. Kerr’s caddie, Brady Stockton, grabbed the flag at 16 to save it for his player.

Lexi Thompson lost 2 and 1 to South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu, and then joined the celebration at a muggy Merit Club about 40 miles northwest of Chicago. The Americans won a silver trophy, and each of the players took home a crown and $100,000 apiece.