Noh bother for teenager with Malaysian Open win

Little-known South Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul upstaged his better known countryman KJ Choi to capture the Maybank Malaysian Open and leave some well-respected names trailing in his wake.

Noh, who counts Choi as his idol made a birdie on the last hole to become the tournaments youngest ever winner and add a first European Tour victory to his resume, which already features a win on the Asian Tour – the Midea China Classic in 2008.

The 18-year-old followed up a superb chip over a bunker with a short birdie putt to finish on 14 under after a four-under-par 68 pipped Choi to the title. Noh had led by one stroke going onto the last hole – a 634-yard monster – but the teenager wildly hooked his drive onto the adjacent 10th fairway.

Choi, who was in the group ahead of Noh birdied the last hole finished with a round of 69 and pile the pressure on the teenager, with the prospect of a playoff looming large. Noh’s second shot stayed left and came to rest on a concrete path but after gaining relief from the path played his sublime shot to kill of Choi’s hopes of the title.

A three-way tie for third place ensued as joint-overnight leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Denmark’s Soren Hansen and Welshman Rhys Davies – the other joint-leader – shared the third spot two shots adrift of Noh.

Noh is another of Korea’s emerging talents in the game and Choi waxed lyrical about the teenager’s ability.

“He is one of the most powerful young talents in the game. He strikes the ball very well and I think he has a very bright future – he is going to develop in all aspects and in the near future he is going to be on the world stage,” Choi said.

Noh pocketed $333,333 for the win over the newly refurbished Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and jumped 136 places in the world rankings to 130th position.