LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) - Jhonattan Vegas made a 13-foot par putt on the second playoff hole to win the Bob Hope Classic on Sunday, holding off Gary Woodland for his first PGA Tour victory.
The first Venezuelan to win a PGA Tour event, the rookie won in just his fifth tour start despite hitting his tee shot in the water on the 92nd hole of the five-day tournament. Vegas capitalized when Woodland made two poor chip shots, pumping his fist in celebration after his putt fell.
"Just to think about winning on the PGA Tour, that's something," Vegas said. "But to make it happen is something else, and it's a crazy feeling. It was tough today to stay neutral and play golf, and that's why. To my country, I hope this means a lot. I really hope it means people changing (their minds) about the sport."
Vegas and Woodland eliminated defending champion Bill Haas with birdies on the first playoff hole after all three finished the final round at 27-under 333.
Playing one group apart, Haas and Vegas both missed short putts on the final regulation hole. A few minutes after Haas botched a 6-footer, Vegas couldn't connect from 9 feet.
Vegas and Woodland closed with 3-under 69s and Haas shot a 66.
Ryan Palmer (64) was fourth at 26 under.
Cook wins by two
KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii - John Cook birdied five straight holes after the turn to win the Champions Tour's season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship, shooting a second straight 8-under 64 for a two-stroke victory over Tom Lehman.
The 53-year-old Cook had eight birdies in his bogey-free round for a 22-under 194 total and his second straight victory after finishing last season with a successful title defense in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He birdied six holes during a seven-hole stretch to take home $305,000 for his sixth victory on the 50-and-over circuit. Lehman closed with a 64.