SOUTH KOREAN teenager Noh Seung-yul set his sights on emulating childhood idol KJ Choi when he edged out his veteran compatriot by one shot to win the Malaysian Open.
The 18-year-old floated a superb chip shot from behind a hospitality marquee to within four feet as his four-under-par 68.
Noh finished with a winning total of 14-under 274 in Kuala Lumpur as the joint overnight leaders, Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Britain’s Rhys Davies, slipped back with 71s.
Noh became the second youngest winner in European Tour history – Korean-born New Zealand amateur Danny Lee was 18 years and six months, three months younger than Noh, when he won last year’s Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia.
Noh was playing his 13th European Tour event. His debut came in China when he was 16 – and he finished eighth that week.
The title came with a cheque for €246,290 and gives Noh, already an Asian Tour winner at the 2008 Midea China Classic, a two-year European exemption.
“It is more special than my first win after competing with some of the best players in the world. And beating someone I have looked up to in KJ makes it more special,” said Noh. “KJ has been a role model for me. I have been looking up to him since I was in junior golf, when he was at the peak of his career, winning tournaments worldwide. He has given me a lot of advice and that will help me on the world stage.”
Noh will next turn his attention to the British Open Asian qualifier which starts in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday before weighing up his options, with Japan, Asia and Europe all possibilities.
“My plan is to play as many global events as possible and playing worldwide will set a foundation for me in securing a playing spot on the US Tour,” he said.
Choi, who last won in Malaysia in October, held a one-shot lead at the midway point of the final round after chipping in on the ninth green but was ultimately made to pay for a wayward tee shot on the 17th.
Joint overnight leaders Davies (71) and Aphibarnrat (71) and Soren Hansen (70) all missed lengthy birdie putts at the last to finish tied for third at 12-under-par.
Peter Lawrie, the sole Irish survivor into the weekend, secured a top-10 berth after a final round 68 left the Dubliner on eight under and earn €26,488.
