Great story out of Shenzhen, China this past weekend as Han Chang-won of South Korea won a trip to the Augusta Masters by taking the first Asian Amateur Championship by five strokes. Oh, did I mention he's 17 years old?

Han extended his lead as high as six strokes in the back nine, which allowed him to coast home with three bogeys over the final five holes while still posting a two-under 70. Fortunately, he held on and didn't pull a Van de Velde in those final holes.

Han's win takes him straight to Augusta for the Masters, as you can see by the flag there above. He also vaults into the final round of British Open qualifying. And that's not a coincidence; Augusta National and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club co-sponsored the Asian Amateur as a way to spur interest in one of the fastest-growing segments of golf on the planet.

It's a wise move on the part of two organizations usually thought of as stodgier than cement. Golf is taking hold all over the world -- it's kind of a kick, seeing how Asia and Africa embrace the sport that we've known for so long -- and to turn a blind eye to this spectacular growth would be suicidal. Augusta and the R&N are getting in ahead of the swell that will surely happen once the Olympics hit in 2016, and further establishing themselves as the dominant organizations on the planet for golf. More power to 'em.

Han Chang-Won wins Asian Amateur, Masters spot [PGA.com]