OMAHA, Neb. -- A Gretna, Neb., man living with lung cancer has a unique chance to play golf at one of the toughest courses in the game.

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John Atkinson, 39, beat out more than 56,000 contestants and is now one of five finalists in Golf Digest's online contest.

The winner will play a round at Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego one week before the pros tee off there for the U.S. Open.

He would get to play with celebrities like Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and pop star Justin Timberlake.

Although playing the Torrey Pines course would be a dream come true for Atkinson, he hopes winning the contest would allow his journey of survival to reach others living with cancer.

"The golf pales in comparison to raising awareness about lung cancer," Atkinson said.

Atkinson has lived with stage four lung cancer for more than a year. He said, "I'm the guy next door just like everybody else, took care of myself, worked out, didn't smoke, did all the things you're supposed to do, and still without warning, lung cancer hit me."

The contest winner will be chosen through an online vote. The last day to vote is April 30.

Link to Golf Digest Contest Page : http://www.gdopencontest.com