Rookie Vegas hits the jackpot

WITH a name that makes him sound like a magician or a stand-up comic, Jhonattan Vegas made sure he will never be forgotten on the PGA Tour after winning the Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta, California on Sunday night.

The first and only PGA Tour player from Venezuela, long-hitting Vegas clinched his maiden title on the US circuit in only his fifth start in a gripping three-way play-off with Americans Gary Woodland and Bill Haas.

He became the first rookie to win the event in 52 years, after making a miraculous par at the second extra hole, and he fervently hopes his breakthrough will attract more players to the game in his homeland.