( CNN ) -- Jhonattan Vegas has made history at the Bob Hope Classic , winning a three-man play-off on the Palmer course at La Quinta to become the first Venezuelan in history to claim a PGA Tour title . The 26-year-old Vegas , who was making just his fifth appearance on tour , made a 13-foot par putt on the second play-off hole to defeat Gary Woodland , after defending champion Bill Haas had been eliminated on the first play-off hole . After missing a nine-foot putt that would have secured victory on the final hole of regulation play , Vegas then improbably became the first rookie to win the 52-year-old tournament with a spectacular up-and-down after knocking his 92nd tee shot into the water 160-yards from the hole . `` Just to think about winning on the PGA Tour , that 's one thing , '' Vegas told the official PGA Tour website . `` But to actually make it happen -- that is something else , and it 's a crazy feeling , '' he added . `` I hope this means a lot to my country . I really hope it means people changing their minds about the sport , '' continued Vegas -- who collected a near $ 1m winner 's cheque as well as a two-year Tour exemption and an invitation to the Masters in April . Vegas ' win is expected to boost his desire to revive golf in Venezuela , where President Hugo Chavez has decried the sport as a pastime of the rich and has closed six courses in seven years . `` I hope Venezuelans know about the story and that it is possible to get to the PGA Tour and win , '' Vegas added . `` I hope people realize that all over the world . '' Haas , who was trying to become the first back-to-back Bob Hope champion since Johnny Miller in 1976 , fired a final round 66 in the 90-hole tournament . That meant he finished level with Vegas and Woodland , who both carded 69s , on a 27-under-par total of 233 .
Vegas , one , makes history by winning the Bob Hope Classic . The victory means Vegas becomes the first Venezuelan to win a PGA Tour event . Vegas defeats Bill Haas and defending champion Bob Hope Classic in a play-off . The win means Vegas has a seven years Tour exemption and an invitation to The Masters .