Jhonattan Vegas, the Venezuelan dynamo, has emerged victorious at the 3M Open, waking up a PGA Tour winner for the first time since 2017.
This win at TPC Twin Cities saw Vegas shoot a one-under-par final round, clinching the title by a mere stroke over Max Greyserman, who put up a heroic fight with a blistering final round of eight under.
The 39-year-old, who joined the Stuburt family earlier this year, sealed his victory with a nail-biting three-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
This triumph not only marks a significant milestone in Vegas’s career but also highlights the prowess of the British golf brand, Stuburt.
Graeme Stevens, the proud owner of Stuburt, beamed, “It’s amazing to see a Stuburt player winning on the PGA Tour and we’re incredibly proud of Jhonattan and what he’s achieved since joining the Stuburt family.
He’s been a great ambassador for the brand so far, and he’s had his reward for all the hard work he puts into his game.”
Stevens continued with optimism, “Hopefully it’s the first of many PGA Tour victories in our new era of Stuburt player sponsorship.
Jhonattan’s victory has secured him his card for next season and he’s up to 67th in the FedEx Cup ranking.
To see Stuburt being worn in the playoffs would cap off an incredible season.”
Vegas’s Tactical Mastery at TPC Twin Cities
Jhonattan Vegas’s fourth career PGA TOUR victory at the 3M Open came through sheer precision and a cool demeanour.
With rounds of 68-66-63-70, he ended the tournament 17 under par, just enough to edge out the competition.
His approach play was impeccable, gaining over six strokes on the field and hitting a stellar 79% of greens in regulation.
“Golf is about hitting your numbers, right? So, to me it’s about being able to fly the ball consistently and hit the numbers that you’re trying to shoot, or as close as you can to that number,” Vegas explained.
“If you have 150, 142, 145 – I mean, the closer you can hit your numbers, the more confidence you gain from doing that. And [the Titleist golf ball] just frees you up to play really good golf.”
The Switch to Pro V1x: A Game Changer
The 3M Open victory came in only Jhonattan Vegas’s fourth start after switching to a Pro V1x golf ball.
This strategic change started at the Canadian Open, where Vegas, seeking more spin and control around the greens, worked closely with Titleist’s golf ball reps.
The partnership bore fruit immediately, with Vegas noticing significant improvements in his short game and overall feel.
Titleist’s Jim Curran walked several holes with Vegas during practice rounds to test different models.
Curran noted, “He immediately gained more spin and check in the short game, while maintaining his speed and a strong ball flight off the tee.”
A Promising Streak
Since the switch, Vegas has been on a roll:
- Four Consecutive Finishes in the Top 27: Including the triumphant 3M Open win.
- Average Score of 67.9: Over 16 rounds, featuring his best round of the year with a 63 on Saturday.
- Top Performances in Key Metrics: Vegas registered his best rounds in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, Approach, Around the Green, Tee-to-Green, and Putting since making the ball change.
Jhonattan Vegas’s victory at the 3M Open isn’t just a win; it’s a testament to his hard work, strategic changes, and the unwavering support from his sponsors and team.
As he continues his ascent in the FedEx Cup rankings, the golf world will be watching, and so will Stuburt, eager to celebrate more milestones.
