Jhonattan Vegas only Latino to make cut at WM Phoenix Open
The low participation of Latin American golfers at the WM Phoenix Open reflects the low popularity of the sport in the region but more than that, the lack of access to training.
"Golf is a very elitist sport in our countries, where you need to be a member of a country club to play because very few countries have public courses," said Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas, who made the cut by six shots, the only Latin American golfer to make it to the third round at TPC Scottsdale.
After coming out even in the first round, Vegas made six birdies and just one bogey to come in at 5-under in the second.
The other Latino who participated this year in the “People's Open” was Argentine Emiliano Grillo, who missed the cut after a poor first round in which he shot a 5-over 76.
Vegas said to change that trend and bring the game to more people, it is important to begin with children.
"We have to get kids involved in the sport, teach them what a golf club is and how to hit the ball,” Vegas said. “I'm sure many good players will come out of it, but if there is no exposure, it will be difficult for golf to grow."
Argentine caddie Ruben Yorio, the man on the bag for Vegas, agreed on the need to give more visibility to golf in Latin American countries.
"There would have to be more publicity in Latin America and there would have to be more big tournaments so that people are motivated and want to see themselves reflected in the pro players," Yorio said.
Yorio, who remembers with pride the victory of the Argentine national soccer team in the 2022 World Cup, recognized that in South America, golf is simply not one of the most popular sports in the region.
The caddie suggested that golf academies in the U.S. travel to Latin American countries to bring golf there and teach the game to young players.
Vegas took the more common route for young Latino golfers, coming to the U.S. at age 18 to study and play at the University of Texas.
Vegas said the road to becoming a professional golfer has been difficult with learning another language and another culture but said "it has been a nice process."
Yorio said he foresees "in universities like Alabama, Arizona and Florida State, there are many Latinos who are going to make it to the PGA tour."
Perhaps some of them will live the same experience as Vegas of playing in the WM Phoenix Open, a tournament that for the Venezuelan is unique in the world.
"There is no other tournament that resembles the WM Phoenix Open," Vegas said. "You don't see this crowd anywhere else. It looks more like a soccer game than a golf tournament."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jhonattan Vegas only Latino to make cut at WM Phoenix Open
