3M Open: Jhonattan Vegas grinds out victory to end his PGA Tour drought
Jhonattan Vegas prevailed at TPC Twin Cities to win the 3M Open by one shot over PGA Tour rookie Max Greyserman.
On Sunday afternoon, Vegas shot a 1-under 70 to post a 17-under overall score. This victory marks Vegasâ fourth career PGA Tour title and his first since he won the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.
Greyserman put the pressure on after he fired off an 8-under 63.
Matt Kuchar and Maverick McNealy challenged the Venezuelan throughout the day. However, the former Georgia Tech golfer could not make a putt down the stretch, and McNealy dropped a shot at 15.
At one point in the round, it appeared a five-way playoff could occur, but Vegas made a birdie when he needed it most to hold off the others.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The 40-year-old PGA Tour veteran has overcome so much since that 2017 victory. From injuries and various surgeries, getting back on top was massive for him.
âItâs always a great feeling,â Vegas said to Amanda Balionis on CBS Sports. âEvery win is specialâespecially coming back from two surgeries. It was a hard day for me. I did not feel 100 percent. It also makes a win super special having my little one out here. I havenât had a win with the little one, so this is for him, too.â
On Sunday, the camera caught him shaking his wrist a few times. Even though he did not feel 100 percent, Vegas found a way to get the job done.
âYou got to get the body ready to play 72 holes,â he said. âToday, it wasnât there, and I knew it from the first hole. I stayed calm, and I knew that I was playing good golf. I had to dig deep, and luckily, I came out with a win.â
Vegas recorded four birdies and three bogeys in his final 18 holes. It was enough to get the job done.
With this victory’s 500 points, he went from No. 149 in the FedEx Cup standings to No. 66. The Top 70 get into the first playoff event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nationâs Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
