Jhonattan Vegas hits jackpot in Canada again, Poulter one shot back

Jhonattan Vegas defended his Canadian Open title after making a birdie at the first extra hole against Charley Hoffman.

And like last year he pulled it off courtesy of a storming final round, a seven-under 65 getting him to 21 under, one shot clear of Ian Poulter who shot a best-of-the-day 64.

This was Poulter’s debut in Canada and he also signed off on Sunday in style with four birdies in the last seven holes which were kick-started by a 50-footer at the 12th hole. Poulter is now up to 43rd on the FedEx standings.

Hoffman (68) led overnight and started with a couple of birdies but Vegas collected six of them in the first 11 holes and he looked in pole position to win it in regulation play, at the par-5 18th he had a wedge in for his second shot.

That let in the American and he added birdies at 16 and 18 which forced a play-off. Hoffman left himself a 25-foot eagle putt at the 72nd hole which just slipped by.

But the Venezuelan did birdie the 18th in the play-off, with a neat chip and putt, which left Hoffman needing to hole out from the sand.

It took an extra hole to determine the winner.

Highlights from Sunday's exciting final round coverage of the @RBCCanadianOpen. pic.twitter.com/DDFCicgxjl

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 31, 2017

“It’s been a special day,” Vegas said. “I knew that I had to shoot a good round to have a chance to win again. I just came out with an aggressive mentality, just feeling really good about my game.

“When I started making a few birdies, especially the putt for birdie on the 7th, I started feeling the same chills that I felt last year when I won, and I just knew that something good could happen if I kept that going.”

As for Hoffman, who is yet to win in 2017 despite a number of chances, he blamed his putter.

“I gave myself a chance, except I putted horribly today and left everything short. Jhonny played great. All credit to him.”