IU junior Ren Han returned home this week to take part in the Asian Amateur Championship. It is the first year for the Asian Amateur Championship and the winner will receive an invitation into the 2010 Masters.
Han is leading the tournament after one round with a 7-under par 65. The tournament includes 116 of the best amateur golfers from 30 of the Asian-Pacific countries.
The tournament is being contested in Shenzhen, China, which is the hometown of Han.
Here are some quotes from IU coach Mike Mayer on Han's first round lead:
On Ren's play and the rest of the week:
"He's got three rounds to go but what a great first step he has taken. If he takes it one shot at a time and has fun with it who knows what might happen"
On the team impact of what Ren did:
"What he did yesterday is quite impressive and we had a meeting today to talk about what he did. It shows these kids what they are capable to doing because they play with Ren everyday and he is struggling on and off to be in the lineup."
"Ren has been in a good place and his game is coming along. We had a conversation before he left about him having to miss this tournament (this weekend's Renaissance Invitational), and he would have gone to that tournament, but a chance to represent your country in one of one of the top amateur events in the world is an opportunity you cannot pass up.
"He feels good and is probably a little bit in his element. It shows Ren what he's capable of doing and hopefully he comes back and shows the team what he is capable of doing"
On the quality of the field:
"It's an unbelievable impressive feat in a world-class field in the Asian Amateur Championship. The field includes 1st All-Americans from last year"
On the importance of the tournament:
"It's a chance to give Asian golfers a chance to shine, like Y.E Yang did at last year's PGA Championship (defeating Tiger Woods to win the PGA Championship)."
Here are some quotes from senior Alex Martin on Ren's play:
"We are really excited for Ren and it's awesome that he did that. Hopefully he can put three more solid rounds together and go the Masters. We are all pulling for him and are looking forward to having back in the lineup,"
