The Open star who learned to play golf with a broom handle can't go back to his homeland over threats to his life
JHONATTAN VEGAS revealed 'it is not safe for me and my family' to go back to his homeland… because of the country's dictator.
Vegas, 40, was born in Venezuela where he learnt to play golf with a broom handle.
1
Jhonattan Vegas cannot return to his homeland of Venezuela
Credit: Getty
But when his father Carlos signed a petition against former president Hugo Chavez, who incidentally hated golf, the Vegas family faced persecution.
And with the help of two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, Jhonattan made his escape to the USA in 2002 when he turned 18.
Now, with Nicolas Maduro running Venezuela since Chavez's death in 2013, the country has been deemed guilty of systematic attacks on objectors by Amnesty International, with some 'disappearing'.
So as much as Vegas wants his kids, nine and six, to see where he grew up in Maturin, he realises it is not worth the risk of kidnapping - or worse.
READ MORE ON THE OPEN
BUNKER SHOT The secret underground tunnel where Open golfers hide from thunderstorms
The world No55 told The Times ahead of The Open at Royal Portrush: 'I had to get on a bus and ride ten hours to get to Caracas for my appointment.
'I think I'm the only person in Venezuela to get a visa in 24 hours, and part of it was down to the connection between Ben Crenshaw and President George W Bush.
'It's not safe politically, and not safe for me and my family.
'The country is run by a dictator government and I just read a case of an actor getting his passport cancelled and not being able to leave the country.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
'Even though it's my country and I love it more than anything in the world, it's just a risk I'm not willing to take.
'My immediate family is in the US with me. A couple of things happened where their life was threatened.
The secret underground tunnel where Open golfers hide from thunderstorms but only certain stars can use it at Portrush
'We just made a decision that it was time to leave everything behind because being safe is more important than all the material stuff.
'I'm not an activist but I've always been very outspoken and clear that what's happening is not right for people.'
Vegas now lives in Houston, Texas.
But Donald Trump has cracked down on Venezuelans travelling to the US as part of his new travel restrictions and immigration policies.
Vegas added: 'I just feel sad for all those people who came into the US with a dream to succeed in life, like I did, and have everything taken away in the blink of an eye just because the president decided to go after them for no reason.
'The US is a country that was built by immigrants. I was welcomed and I'm thankful.
'I know there has to be order but at the same time, create a path for people who want to make the US better.
'That's why I haven't agreed with what the president has done.
'Immigrants don't deserve that type of treatment anywhere in the world.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Identical twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard shine on day two at Royal Portrush
Danish identical twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard made it a family affair on day two of The Open after both shooting under par to sit inside the top 10. Rasmus, younger by a couple of minutes, carded a 68 which was one better than his sibling and lifted him to the group on five under. Nicolai is one back in a tie for 10th. 'It's cool to see Ras playing well this week. I saw him quite early on the leaderboard, and I kind of wanted to follow it up,' said Nicolai. 'A little frustrated I didn't manage to get to minus five where he is. I felt like the round had potential. 'I cheer him on and am happy to see him play well, but I also want to beat him. But it's a good relationship and hopefully we'll have a good weekend and maybe battle it out on Sunday. 'We couldn't handle each other's success when we were younger, but we can do that now and support each other and get motivated by each other. When you get older, you get slightly more mature.' They were the first twins to appear at the Masters in April, the 24-year-olds arriving at their pre-tournament news conference dressed identically – although they insisted that was a random coincidence. World number 70 Rasmus has five DP World Tour wins, Nicolai, ranked 93, has three – but is a Ryder Cup winner after success in Rome two years ago and now plays on the PGA Tour. Rasmus also wants his brother to do well – until the closing stages of the final round. He added: 'I'm going to root for him until we are on Sunday back nine.'
The Herald Scotland
40 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Identical twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard shine on day two at Royal Portrush
'It's cool to see Ras playing well this week. I saw him quite early on the leaderboard, and I kind of wanted to follow it up,' said Nicolai. 🇩🇰 T5 – Rasmus Højgaard🇩🇰 T10 – Nicolai Højgaard An incredible opening two rounds from both the Højgaard twins in Portrush 🤩#TheOpen — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 18, 2025 'A little frustrated I didn't manage to get to minus five where he is. I felt like the round had potential. 'I cheer him on and am happy to see him play well, but I also want to beat him. But it's a good relationship and hopefully we'll have a good weekend and maybe battle it out on Sunday. 'We couldn't handle each other's success when we were younger, but we can do that now and support each other and get motivated by each other. When you get older, you get slightly more mature.' They were the first twins to appear at the Masters in April, the 24-year-olds arriving at their pre-tournament news conference dressed identically – although they insisted that was a random coincidence. World number 70 Rasmus has five DP World Tour wins, Nicolai, ranked 93, has three – but is a Ryder Cup winner after success in Rome two years ago and now plays on the PGA Tour. Rasmus also wants his brother to do well – until the closing stages of the final round. He added: 'I'm going to root for him until we are on Sunday back nine.'
Glasgow Times
41 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Identical twins Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard shine on day two at Royal Portrush
Rasmus, younger by a couple of minutes, carded a 68 which was one better than his sibling and lifted him to the group on five under. Nicolai is one back in a tie for 10th. 'It's cool to see Ras playing well this week. I saw him quite early on the leaderboard, and I kind of wanted to follow it up,' said Nicolai. 🇩🇰 T5 – Rasmus Højgaard🇩🇰 T10 – Nicolai Højgaard An incredible opening two rounds from both the Højgaard twins in Portrush 🤩#TheOpen — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 18, 2025 'A little frustrated I didn't manage to get to minus five where he is. I felt like the round had potential. 'I cheer him on and am happy to see him play well, but I also want to beat him. But it's a good relationship and hopefully we'll have a good weekend and maybe battle it out on Sunday. 'We couldn't handle each other's success when we were younger, but we can do that now and support each other and get motivated by each other. When you get older, you get slightly more mature.' They were the first twins to appear at the Masters in April, the 24-year-olds arriving at their pre-tournament news conference dressed identically – although they insisted that was a random coincidence. World number 70 Rasmus has five DP World Tour wins, Nicolai, ranked 93, has three – but is a Ryder Cup winner after success in Rome two years ago and now plays on the PGA Tour. Rasmus also wants his brother to do well – until the closing stages of the final round. He added: 'I'm going to root for him until we are on Sunday back nine.'
