'Mind-blowing' record putt sends golf world into frenzy
Jhonatton Vegas has made history at The Players Championship, holing the longest putt ever on the infamous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass.
The Venezuelan star nailed a 69-foot, 7-inch putt to birdie on the famous island green.
The curling, uphill effort sparked the crowd into a frenzy, as Vegas eventually claimed third in the stacked tournament.
The longest putt on 17 … EVER.
7️⃣0️⃣ FEET!!!!!!!@JhonattanVegas is tied for 2nd @THEPLAYERSChamp.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/dnNTMQrzFg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 17, 2019
It wasn’t even the first miracle putt on the green that day, with Eddie Pepperell sinking a 50-foot effort of his own just hours earlier.
INCREDIBLE!
5️⃣0️⃣ feet from @PepperellEddie at the iconic 17th!
He's tied for the lead @THEPLAYERSChamp.
What a moment.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/uAmTF6eU7w
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 17, 2019
Vegas stole the show though, his massive putt sparking a run from 14th, right up to his eventual third place finish.
He was tied for third with Pepperell on 14-under, behind second-placed Jim Furyk (-15) and winner Rory McIlroy (-16).
The golfing community was left stunned by the incredible putt.
Even the caddy who has seen everything was left with his mouth open after @JhonattanVegas amazing putt on the Island green. Wow! #PlayersChampionship pic.twitter.com/5Ljt8kKT6X
— David Drummond (@leaveit4later) March 17, 2019
Are you kidding me @JhonattanVegas with that 72 ft putt in 17
— Jesus Figueroa (@tutie_01) March 17, 2019
72ft putt for @JhonattanVegas on the 17th….overshadowing @PepperellEddie's!! Some cracking play tonight! 🏌️♂️ #THEPLAYERS
— __ 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲__ (@les1l) March 17, 2019
Jhonattan Vegas just sunk a putt from space. What a Sunday at Sawgrass. #ThePlayers pic.twitter.com/OB6MgKrcsL
— Stephen Campbell (@Scampbell_OS) March 17, 2019
If that was me taking that Jhonattan Vegas putt from 72 ft I’d have turned around, tapped it into the water and gone back to the drop zone with my wedge. What a putt that was from him #PlayersChampionship
— Faolan Cahill (@faolster92) March 17, 2019
The pair of monster putts even drew comparison to Tiger Woods’ infamous effort on the same hole in 2001.
Playing Hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass has to be a top 5 lifetime sports goal for me.
Tiger Woods' putt on this hole in 2001 still one of my favorite Golf moments. "Better than most!" pic.twitter.com/66PMXmLcGh
— Iain MacMillan (@IainMacOS) March 14, 2019
Vegas said after the tournament that he could barely believe he had finished the shot.
“Absolutely mind-blowing. Simple as that,” Vegas said.
“I mean, it never crossed my mind that I was going to make such a long putt on such a phenomenal hole. But it’s one of those things, that’s kind of what you play golf for, to be in those kinds of situations.”
The putt helped Vegas to his first top five finish since 2017.
“I’m super happy. We’re talking about one of the greatest fields in golf,” he said.
“To have a chance to win here, it’s always amazing. I feel like I’m at a point in my career where I need to start contending a little bit more in these types of bigger events and I’ve been preparing myself for it, so thank God it’s kind of moving in the right direction and hopefully I can have one of these soon.”