Venezuela's socialist president, Hugo Chávez, is not known for his love of "bourgeois" pastimes such as golf, but after the international success of a compatriot he appears to have undergone a dramatic conversion. Chávez has been delivering paeans of praise to his country's newest sporting hero: Jhonattan "Johnny" Vegas, a 26-year-old professional golfer from the eastern Venezuelan state of Monagas.
"He beat all the gringos," said the president, following Vegas's victory at the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs two weeks ago. That triumph was followed by a third place at an event in San Diego last weekend, where he beat many of the world's best, including Tiger Woods.
Vegas's performances have seen him rise to the top of the PGA Tour's money list and become the sport's most talked about newcomer since Woods himself arrived on the circuit in 1996. "I'm really enjoying the moment, and loving everything about the PGA Tour," Vegas said last week. "It's been a little crazy. It's just a dream come true for me.''
For Chávez, who once said of golf "I do respect all sports, but there are sports and there are sports – do you mean to tell me this is a people's sport?", the change in tone is startling. Nine golf courses, including three in Monagas, have been closed since Chávez went public with his dislike of the sport in 2009.
That, clearly, was then. While Vegas continues to live the dream, Chávez has embarked on a little revisionism, recognising the importance of sport to his nation's economy and the value of having Venezuela represented on the global sporting stage. This year the state-owned oil company PDVSA will put $14m (£9m) into the Williams Formula One team, which will this season have the Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado as one of its drivers – a decision that led to Chávez being accused of hypocrisy (capitalism surely has no greater sporting expression) and misusing his patronage (Maldonado is an avowed supporter of the president).
Vegas's sudden ascent is yet to provoke similar financial backing for his sport, but the warm words would seem to presage a new era. "I'm not an enemy of golf, or any sport. I've simply criticised that a group of rich people in Caracas have a bunch of golf courses next to slums falling off of hills,'' Chávez said.
Vegas, whose father, Carlos, was once a caddie, has lived in the US since he was 17 and developed his golf career in Texas under the guidance of Franci Betancourt, an exiled Venezuelan professional who once taught at two courses closed down by Chávez's government.
"He [Vegas] is a very special kid. He is unique," Betancourt told the New York Times. "It's because he's enjoying the game, even when he hits it bad. That's not common."
The golfer is aiming to continue his run of great form and keep in touch with his latest fan.
After several failed attempts he finally spoke with Chávez. "The president congratulating me – that means a lot. Just to have the support of your country, it's huge,'' Vegas said.
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