Nov. 19, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Seung-Su Han, a senior on the UNLV men's golf team, has passed the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School, which has earned him conditional status on the Nationwide Tour. Depending on how he finishes in the final stage, which will be played Dec. 3-8, Han could achieve full status on the PGA Tour.

Han, who last year became the first college golfer to ever advance to the Q-School finals, decided to not turn professional and returned to UNLV. This year, however, Han has decided to accept the status and turn pro. He will return to UNLV after the completion of Q-School to complete his fall semester academic responsibilities.

"It is difficult to lose your best player, but I am so proud Seung-su decided to play golf here at UNLV," said Dwaine Knight, head coach of the UNLV men's golf team. "He is a wonderful talent and we wish him nothing but the best. We will be pulling for him out there on the Tour."

At the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, Han was named to the PING All-Pacific Region team for the second straight year and was one of three Rebels selected All-Mountain West Conference, marking his third selection on the all-conference squad. He was named last year's team MVP and led the MWC in scoring average with 71.33, which ranked as the fifth-best seasonal average in UNLV men's golf history.

This season, Han competed in three tournaments and recorded one top-10 finish.

"For me to come to UNLV and learn as much as I did, it was unbelievable," Han said. "I didn't play as well as I would have liked to in college, but I wouldn't trade what I learned in my three and a half years here for anything else.

"I really want to thank the school, Coach Knight and Coach (Andy) Bischel for making everything possible. I will be a Rebel for the rest of my life and it was a treat to play here. Again, I learned so many priceless things while at UNLV and I really feel fortunate that I was able to be a part of the program."