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The last time Jhonattan Vegas won on the PGA Tour, the 3M Open didn’t exist.
Also in the span between then and now were myriad injuries and wondering whether he would return to the pinnacle. Those questions were answered Sunday.
Vegas captured his fourth Tour victory Sunday, claiming the 2024 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, after a 72nd-hole birdie helped him beat Max Greyserman by a shot. Greyserman shot a back-nine 6-under 30 to get to 16 under, but Vegas birdied No. 16 and 18 to add another trophy to his case.
“These are the moments that you get up every day and you work hard, you do all the right things because nothing feels better than this,” Vegas said.
The last time Vegas won was in 2017, claiming the RBC Canadian Open for the second straight year. His 3M win came in his 299th Tour start, and it happened in the midst of a so-so year that saw him make as many cuts (seven) as he missed coming into the week in Minnesota.
After an iffy approach into 18 on the front of the green, Vegas faced a lengthy 96-foot eagle look, but, needing a birdie to secure the win, he nestled the lag putt close and then knocked in the birdie putt.
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The win meant even more for Vegas for getting to celebrate with his family on the 18th green.
“I mean, that was the cherry on top of the cake,” Vegas said. “In my house we’ve had a lot of talks, my boy’s 5, hadn’t had a win since he was born. Lots of pictures of my daughter with trophies around the house, so my boy was asking me when am I going to have a picture with a trophy.
“Like I said earlier, there was a big cloud on top of my head because I need to have a win for him. It’s even more special that they were here because a lot of times they’re not. It just means the world.”
The win vaults Vegas 83 spots in the FedEx Cup Playoffs points race, from 149 to 66, and most importantly, inside the top 70. Only the top 70 make the post-season.
For Greyserman, a Tour rookie, it was the best finish of his career. He shot 8-under 63 on Sunday to zoom up the leaderboard, and the finish will move him into the top 70 to 63rd.
“I think I just locked up my spot in the first playoff event, so that’s big because that’s another huge point opportunity and hopefully continue to play my way up,” Greyserman said.
The PGA Tour takes a brief hiatus next week for the Olympics before returning for the regular-season finale at the Wyndham Championship.