Las Vegas, Nevada (September 30, 2011 UPDATED 3:38 PM PST)–A few months back, we claimed Jhonattan Vegas as one of our own. Soon after, The Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman tweeted about our audacity/humor. Well, now that he is leading Las Vegas' PGA Tour event, the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, he is close to proving our point yet again. Vegas fired a sweet 63 in round one and is two-under par through his first 15 holes in round two. UPDATE: Vegas fired a 67 in round two and was -12 and tied for the lead.–By Brian Hurlburt.
"It would be really good to win," Vegas told the media following his first round. "This could be really fun to win, because of, you know, winning in Vegas, last name Vegas, could be really fun. It could be really, really fun. We are going to give it a try. I have put myself in a great position starting. … (I) have a long way to go, lots of good rounds out there. So I just have to keep playing hard and hopefully it will turn out to be great." Click now for LIVE SCORING.
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Vegas won the Humana Challenge earlier this season. It was the first win of his career. The Venezuelan had made nine consecutive cuts coming into the JT Shriners event. He had earned more than $1.7 million in earnings.
Official tournament information: "The 2011 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is the ongoing commitment between Timberlake and Shriners Hospitals for Children® to continue the tradition of a PGA TOUR event in Las Vegas. The collaboration between Shriners Hospitals for Children® as Title Sponsor and Host, along with Celebrity Host Justin Timberlake, creates a truly unique and world-class event for players and fans alike. A variety of well-known golfers will participate in the competition and help support the mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children®, while enjoying the signature flair that Las Vegas has to offer. The 2011 tournament is September 25 – October 2, 2011 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.The 2011 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is the ongoing commitment between Timberlake and Shriners Hospitals for Children® to continue the tradition of a PGA TOUR event in Las Vegas. The collaboration between Shriners Hospitals for Children® as Title Sponsor and Host, along with Celebrity Host Justin Timberlake, creates a truly unique and world-class event for players and fans alike"