"Like the Tom Kims and Si Woo Kims" - Former International Presidents Cup star Jhonattan Vegas wants more international players on the PGA Tour
Jhonattan Vegas claimed that more international players should compete on the PGA Tour. The Venezuelan golfer is gearing up to compete at this week's World Wide Technology (WWT) Championship. Ahead of the tournament, he appeared on an episode of SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio to give his take on International participation on the PGA Tour.
Vegas, who previously represented the International Team at the Presidents Cup, opened up about international players playing on the PGA Tour, emphasizing that more players should join the circuit.
Vegas talked about Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim, both of whom played at the Presidents Cup this year. He praised the golfers, commenting that they were not afraid to go up against top-ranked American players. While remarking that more international players should compete on the PGA Tour, Vegas said:
"We just have to keep—has to come more guys, more international guys to play on Tour. You know, like we are seeing, you know, like the Tom Kims and Si Woo Kims, and you know, some of these guys, you know, are getting established on the PGA Tour."
He further added:
"We need more guys competing on these tours, getting more comfortable being out here, and not being afraid of going against a great American team," he added (0:45).
Notably, Jhonattan Vegas was part of the International Team for the Presidents Cup in 2017, where the score read 19-11 in favor of Team USA. The International Team has struggled to put up a solid performance in the biennial tournament.
Since the inception of the Presidents Cup, the team has only won the prestigious tournament once in 1998 and tied in another edition, while Team USA has been dominant in the game.
A look into Jhonattan Vegas’ career on the PGA Tour
Jhonattan Vegas has found considerable success on the PGA Tour. Turning pro in 2008, he has won six professional events, four of which were on the PGA Tour.
After winning his maiden Tour event at the 2011 Bob Hope Classic, Vegas struggled with his game for a while, failing to win any events until he defeated Dustin Johnson, Martin Laird, and Jon Rahm at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open to claim his second Tour title.
Vegas went on to defend the title in 2017, defeating Charley Hoffman in a playoff. However, he struggled to secure another win for almost seven years on the PGA Tour until he finally won the 3M Open in 2024.
Speaking of his win, Vegas said (via PGA Tour):
“It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure.....It was a nightmare, but luckily stayed calm and I was able to play pretty solid and not make huge mistakes."
This season on the PGA Tour, Jhonattan Vegas has played in 21 events and recorded one finish in the top 10. He last competed at the Zozo Championship, where he tied for 11th place, and will be seen at the WWT Championship next, scheduled from November 7 to 10.