A Footballer In Golfer's Clothes

SAN FRANCISCO, Ca-- Think golfers aren't athletes? Take a peak at Jhonattan Vegas, one of the semifinalists at the 107th U.S. Amateur Championship. The 23-year-old from Venezuela who just finished his senior season at Texas stands 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. When Longhorns football coach Mack Brown first saw Vegas on the golf course back at Austin a few years ago, he approached him and asked if he had ever played on the gridiron before.

"He really thought I was a football player," Vegas said. "He was like, 'You really look like a tight end. Do you really play golf or are you joking with me?' "

Vegas certain does play golf, as evidenced by his 3-and-1 victory over Cheng Tsung Pan Friday in the quarterfinals at Olympic Club. Vegas faces reigning U.S. Amateur Public Links champion Colt Knost in one semifinal match Saturday. Michael Thompson and Casey Clendenon square off in the other.

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--Ryan Herrington*