Snedeker’s lead reined in by Vegas

Jhonattan Vegas has ended his five-and-a-half year wait for a second PGA Tour title with a one-shot victory at the Canadian Open.

The Venezuelan was victorious in just his second-ever PGA Tour event 2011 but has had to wait a long time to follow up that success, emerging from the chasing pack on Sunday to secure an unlikely victory at Glen Abbey.

The 31-year-old shot up the leaderboard early on with five consecutive birdies from the second hole onward before dropping a shot at the eighth, his only bogey of the day.

Vegas recovered from his blip to birdie the final three holes to finish with a round of 64, giving him the cludhouse lead on 12-under.

The South American then went to the range to keep himself sharp, expecting one of the late starters to match his score, only to see his rivals fall by the wayside.

Martin Laird and Steve Wheatcroft both could have forced a play-off with a birdie at the par-five 18th, only to fluff their lines, while Dustin Johnson, overnight leader Brandt Snedeker, Jon Rahm, Ricky Barnes and Alex Cejka needed eagles to match Vegas’ score.

Vegas admitted he was somewhat fortunate to win the Canadian Open without the need for a play-off but was delighted to be back in the winner’s enclosure after his lengthy wait.

“That?s the fortunate breaks that sometimes you need to be a champion on the PGA TOUR,” said Vegas. “It’s a great feeling.

“It feels more exciting because I have a family to share this with. Just to see my wife and my baby so excited from watching me on the TV, it makes me happier and makes me definitely more excited. It gives me more energy to keep playing hard and give it my best every single time.”