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Choi Predicts Sparkling Future For Teen Titan Noh
Asian Golf Monthly Team
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Noh Seung-yul celebrates his success in Kuala Lumpur. Picture by Andy Redington/Getty Images.
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Kuala Lumpur (March 8): The sky is the limit for Korean teen titan and newly crowned Maybank Malaysian Open winner Noh Seung-yul, says countryman KJ Choi.
Noh showed composure beyond his 18 years to claim his second Asian Tour title and can now be regarded amongst the emerging group of young stars taking the world by storm.
Noh’s success was even sweeter as he defeated his idol and mentor Choi, a seven-time US PGA Tour winner, thanks to an exceptional birdie on the final hole to bag the winner’s prize purse of US$333,330 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
His victory sky-rocketed him up to second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with earnings of US$346,677, behind Avantha Masters winner Andrew Dodt of Australia who sits on top of the pecking order with US$360,192.
Choi, an honorary Asian Tour member, tipped the young Korean to be a highly successful golfer in the future.
“He is one of the most powerful young talents coming up. The way that he controls and hits the ball is like no other and I think he has a very bright future. I feel like he is going to develop in all aspects and is going to be on the world stage. He has the heart for it but he has to keep working hard,” said Choi, who has made it a point to play practice rounds with Noh whenever he competes in Asia.
Noh could become Asia's youngest number one if he sustains his hot start to the year.
“It would be good if I can finish off the season as the champion of the Order of Merit but there’s a lot of time remaining until then. This victory opens up a lot of doors for me so I’ll see where it leads me,” said Noh.
The youngster made his debut on the Asian Tour in 2008 following a tied 24th place finish at the Qualifying School. He made an instant impact, chalking up four top-10s and almost emerged as the youngest winner on the Asian Tour, losing out in a play-off to compatriot Hwang Inn-choon at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on home soil.
He made amends with a maiden win at the Midea China Classic en route to capturing Rookie of the Year honours in 2008.
In 2009, he claimed nine top-10 finishes on the Asian Tour and will be driven to pursue his target of winning US$1 million this season, in order to buy his first car.
“I just got my driver's license last year and I don’t have a car. I would borrow my mum’s car from time to time and my dad made a promise that if I won a million dollars, my parents would buy me a car. With this win, I would be half-way to achieving that goal so this gives me the motivation to play better,” smiled Noh, who started hitting golf balls at the beach near his house when he was seven.
Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “We had no fewer than four up-coming players winning last season while Noh is the second to step into the spotlight this year after Gaganjeet’s (Bhullar) victory at the Asian Tour International in Thailand.
“There are many promising talents on the Asian Tour and Noh’s victory will be an inspiration to the up-coming generation to succeed on the international stage. We are succeeding in constantly building champions on the Asian Tour.”
Choi’s second place finish at the Maybank Malaysian Open puts him in third position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with earnings of US$222,220 while Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who finished third in Malaysia, is in fourth position on US$122,717.
The Asian Tour stays in Malaysia for this week's British Open International Final Qualifying Asia at Saujana Golf and Country Club. The two-day qualifier with four tickets up for grabs will start on Wednesday.
ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT
Top-10 Standings (after Maybank Malaysian Open)
1, Andrew DODT (AUS) US$360,192; 2, NOH Seung-yul (KOR) US$346,677; 3, KJ Choi (KOR) US$222,220, 4, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) US$122,717; 5, Rhys DAVIES (WAL) US$118,557; 6, Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) US$117,363; 7, Jason KNUTZON (USA) US$88,028; 8, Rahil GANGJEE (IND) US$65,881; 9, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) US$60,150; 10, Angelo QUE (PHI) US$56,964.
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