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.
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“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.”
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