"That was wild, right?" - Jhonattan Vegas caught off-guard after his shot found a local police officer at 3M Open

Jhonattan Vegas emerged victorious at the 3M Open 2024 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. However, on the 12th hole of the final round, Vegas found himself in a tricky situation that could have had consequences for the Champion.

On the par-5 12th hole, Jhonattan Vegas hooked his tee shot left and the ball landed on a police officer's arm after a bounce. As a result, Vegas received free relief within a club length from where the officer was.

Mark Dusbabek, PGA TOUR senior director Lead TV Rules & Video Analyst explained Vegas' luck and said (via PGA Tour):

"That’s a big difference that the ball stayed in his arm … because if it would’ve dropped, he’s going to play it from that location. However since it was in his arm, it has not found its place on the ground, so he gets to estimate the spot below where that ball is, and then he gets a club length to create a relief area from that lead point. It’s a big break for him."

Vegas completed the 12th hole on par. He scored 1-under 70 in the round. He scored four birdies on the 4th, 6th, 15th, and 18th holes against three bogeys on the 1st, 9th, and 13th holes.

Afterwards, Jhonattan Vegas talked about his luck on 12th hole and said (via PGA Tour):

"That was wild, right? Out of all the places that the ball can go to, to find a policeman. Luckily he was standing in the right place, I was able to get a good drop and have somewhat of a clear shot to the green. It's just kind of one of those crazy stuff that happens in golf."

The police officer said that he was asked by the spectators to not move after the ball landed on his harm. Vegas later apologized to the local police officer as he continued his round.

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A look at Jhonattan Vegas' performance in 2024

Jhonattan Vegas had an ordinary 2024 season until his win at the 3M Open. In the 16 starts, Vegas has one win and six top-25 finishes this year. He has also missed cuts in seven of the 16 starts. Vegas jumped from 149th to 67th in FedExCup standings after the win at TPC Twin Cities.

Vegas' notable finishes include T20 at the John Deere Classic, T17 at the ISPS Handa Australian Open, T22 at the WM Phoenix Open, T23 at the Corales Puntacana Championship and T25 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Let's take a look at Jhonattan Vegas' performances in the 2024 season:

2024 PGA TOUR Tournaments

• Sony Open in Hawaii: Missed Cut, 69-71, 140 (E)
• The American Express: Missed Cut, 68-70-66, 204 (-12)
• Farmers Insurance Open: Missed Cut, 78-65, 143 (-1)
• WM Phoenix Open: T22, 67-68-69-71, 275 (-9)
• Mexico Open at Vidanta: T60, 71-68-69-75, 283 (-1)
• Valspar Championship: Missed Cut, 73-70, 143 (+1)
• Texas Children's Houston Open: T36, 71-70-71-65, 277 (-3)
• Valero Texas Open: Missed Cut, 73-75, 148 (+4)
• Corales Puntacana Championship: T23, 68-70-69-70, 277 (-11)
• THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson: Missed Cut, 70-69, 139 (-3)
• RBC Canadian Open: T27, 70-69-69-67, 275 (-5)
• Rocket Mortgage Classic: T25, 67-69-69-73, 278 (-10)
• John Deere Classic: T20, 68-64-67-68, 267 (-17)
• 3M Open: 1, 68-66-63-70, 267 (-17)

2023-24 DP World Tournaments

• Fortinet Australian PGA Championship: Missed Cut, 73-74, 147 (+5)
• ISPS Handa Australian Open: T17, 66-69-72-71, 278 (-7)