If Jhonattan Vegas wins the PGA Championship, he will have a wooden stick to thank.

The Venezuelan, who grew up hitting rocks with a broomstick instead of using a club, is the first man from his country ever to lead a major.

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Vegas is getting the rub of the green[/caption]

Despite his humble origins, he is tearing up the Quail Hollow course and could come from nowhere to triumph over the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

With only one top-25 finish in one of golf’s big four, Vegas will need plenty of luck on his side.

And his miraculous tee shot on the 17th suggests he just might have it.

Vegas’ tee shot onto the par three hit a rake by the greenside bunker and found the dancefloor instead of shooting right past it.

“One of the most unbelievable things I’ve ever seen,” said ESPN’s announcer as he tried to fathom what had happened before Vegas made a par to keep his lead at four shots.

“The golf gods are with him,” noted one fan.

“110 per cent the reason why rakes go INSIDE sand traps and it’s not even a debate,” added another.

“Can’t wait for the luck to turn on Moving Day. That’s an insane break lol,” a third wrote.

Vegas is taking everything in his stride and enjoying his time in the limelight.

“My dad grew up near a golf course and he kind of grew up kiting at that place as a little kid,” he said after shooting seven under in his opening round.

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Vegas has cut a relaxed figure despite storming out in front[/caption]

“When he had us, we grew up near another golf course owned by the old companies and we had access.

“I mean, obviously Venezuelans were not known for being golfers.

“As a kid, I would hit anything that I could find, you know, rocks, broomstick, everything.

“I would grab anything that I could swing and I would do it.

“I felt like I was a good athlete as a young kid, so that’s kind of how things started.

“Just keep dreaming, right? That’s all you can tell yourself if you had to go back. Keep dreaming because that’s the only thing that can keep you going.

“I’ve been doing this long enough and I’ve had some ups and some downs.

“And, obviously, believing and dreaming is what keeps you going.
“I have been blessed and here I am.”

Vegas, who has almost $20million in career earnings, didn’t make the most of his break after carding a bogey on the 18th.

It still left him in the clubhouse lead but some big names are already on the move, trying to join him on eight-under.

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