The journey as a professional golfer is never easy, but how the golfers overcome those challenges makes a great inspirational story. The only Venezuelan professional golfer to play on the PGA Tour, Jhonattan Vegas, offers something similar to his professional career comeback after two surgeries at the age of 39.

The golfer has been away from the field due to injuries and surgeries but has come back strong with a victory dedicated to the support system. He won the 3M Open in July 2024, which ended his 7-year trophy drought. After the victory, during an interview, he shared briefly about his support system and to whom he dedicated his win. Let’s take a look at the support system of Jhonattan Vegas.

Who is Jhonattan Vegas married to? Do they have children?

After winning $1.4 million at the 2024 3M Open, he became the first international winner of the event. The Venezuelan was seen sharing about his family. He shared about his wife and kids who have supported him during the tough phase of injuries and got him back to the course. Jhonattan Vegas married Hildegard Struppek in 2013 and has been together ever since.

Though there is very limited information about the family on the internet. But Hildegard Struppek’s social media post allowed the curation of such information. They have two kids, Louis Alexander and Sharlene Alexander. Though there isn’t much information about Struppek’s career, but her LinkedIn profile shares a history of being a professional in the telecommunications field. She has also shared her experience as a Network Administrator for Inter Venezuela. She worked for the organization from Mar 2007- July 2011.

The fashionista wife of the professional is also fond of traveling. Her Instagram posts are proof of her traveling. She has posted a great amount of photos with family exploring new places and celebrating the new achievements of family members. Even looking at their social media profile, their children, apart from supporting their golfer father at the course, play soccer. Though there isn’t much shared about the family by the golfer.

Vegas’s family has been his constant support system, as evident through social media. For instance, during the Barracuda Championship, he withdrew his name after hearing that his wife had gone into labor for a second child.

After withdrawing his name, he later clarified through a tweet writing, “Hey guys, unfortunately, I had to WD from the @CudaChamp today because my wife went into labor early this morning. So I’m on my way home and hope I can make it for delivery. Thanks, everyone, @CudaChamp and sorry I couldn’t stay longer. All the best. I can’t wait to meet my baby boy.”

The information about the family is limited due to their low profile and limited presence at outside events apart from the course. However, the golfer’s history is easily accessible to the golf world.

Jhonattan Vegas’ early life

Vegas was born in Maturin, Venezuela. Since childhood, he was into many sports, but it was golf which he played with his parents and brothers. His excellence at the junior level helped him become the top junior golfer in Venezuela. Following the opportunities and schooling, he moved to the United States in 2002 with a golf instructor.

The journey of a professional that we see still swinging even after the ups and downs of life has begun from a place and pursued him to the U.S. After a year of moving in, he won three junior tournaments and qualified for the 2003 Houston Open, which offered him a golf scholarship to the University of Texas. After that, he helped the Longhorns win the Big 12 championship. Later on, in 2006 won Venezuela’s National Amateur Championship in Maracaibo.

That is what has been the history of the professional. He turned pro in 2008 and since then has been the player having the attention of the golf world with his performance. With the history of his career and life, he has proved how support helped him get back to golf and prove his skills. Be it in the amateur years or a strong comeback at the 3M Open after injuries in a professional career.