OAKVILLE, Ont. — Jhonattan Vegas was glued to his phone.
The 29-year-old Venezuelan walked into the media conference centre set up at Glen Abbey Golf Club in the midst of a video call with his wife and baby daughter, then put the phone down briefly to answer questions from reporters about winning the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday. As soon as Vegas stepped off the stage he was back on the phone, speaking with his family in Spanish, celebrating his second PGA Tour win.
"I didn’t have a chance to talk to them after I knew that I had won and it’s special seeing them that happy, enjoying that moment as much as I am enjoying it right now," said Vegas. "It’s just an incredible moment, just to share it with the family, with the wife, with the people you love and care about. It’s great."
Vegas birdied the final three holes at Glen Abbey Golf Club for an 8-under 64 and one-stroke victory. The 29-year-old Venezuelan began the day five strokes behind leader Brandt Snedeker, and four behind U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian amateur Jared du Toit.
He earned US$1,062,000 and a spot in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol in New Jersey and received a two-year tour exemption as well as a spot in the Masters next year.
Although Vegas’s playoff win at the Bob Hope Classic in 2011 launched his PGA career, the Canadian Open victory was more special.
"It definitely feels bigger, feels more exciting because I have a family to share this with," said Vegas. "Just to see my wife and my baby so excited, from watching me on TV, just the whole thing.
"It makes me happier and makes me definitely more excited and definitely gives me more energy obviously to keep playing hard to give it my best every single time."
After speaking to media Vegas asked to see the tournament’s trophy again so he could show it to his family by phone and pose for photos. Even as he patiently waited for each picture to be taken he kept his phone — with his family still on the line — in his hand.
Vegas — who will represent Venezuela at the upcoming Rio Olympics — also dedicated his win to his fellow countrymen.
"Venezuela is a country that is suffering right now, a lot of issues, politically, economically, socially," said Vegas. It’s just a tough place right now, a lot of people hurting.
"So definitely I want to dedicate it to the country because of all the tremendous support that I’ve had from them, even through the rough time they are having right now."