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Canadian Open: Jhonny Vegas wins

July 24, 2016

Jhonattan Vegas, a Venezuelan who encountered a long drought after winning in only his second start as a PGA Tour member more than five years ago, won the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, Canada on Sunday.

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Vegas, one of six tied for the lead at one point of the back nine, broke from the pack with birdies on his final three holes and four of his last six. He shot an eight-under par 64 and posted a 72-hole total of 12-under 276. Vegas won the Bob Hope Classic in 2011.

“It’s never easy," said the man widely known as Jhonny Vegas. "I won on my second start as a rookie. I really thought it was going to be a little bit easier right after that. But it’s been five tough years with injuries to kind of get your momentum back to win golf tournaaments."

It was not the winner for which the Canadian crowd was hoping. Amateur Jared du Toit, a British Columbia native, began the final round one stroke behind leader Brandt Snedeker, but shot a one-under par 71 and tied for ninth in his bid to give the Canadian Open a Canadian winner for the first time since 1954.

Journeyman Steve Wheatcroft 38, had the best chance at beating Vegas. He was tied for the lead when he bogeyed the 17th hole, then hit a greenside bunker shot into the water on the par-5 18th hole.

Dustin Johnson, Spain's Jon Rahm and Martin Laird of Scotland tied for second.