Golf Gear Newswire : Golf-Noh stopping South Korean teenager, says veteran Choi

LONDON, March 8 (Reuters) - New Malaysian Open champion Noh Seung-yul is all set to make an impact on world golf, according to seven-times U.S. PGA Tour winner KJ Choi.

Teenager Noh, who does not even own a car, became the youngest professional winner on the European Tour when he pipped fellow South Korean Choi by one stroke to win in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

“He is one of the most powerful young talents coming up,” said Choi in a news release. “The way he controls and hits the ball is like no other.

“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,” added the 39-year-old who makes a point of practising with the youngster when he competes in Asia.

Noh, at 18 years and 281 days, broke the 39-year-old European Tour record of South African Dale Hayes by nine days when he landed the Malaysian title.

New Zealander Danny Lee is the youngest amateur winner on the European Tour. He was 18 years and 213 days when he lifted the Johnnie Walker Classic trophy in Australia in February 2009.

“This is more special than my first win,” said Noh in a reference to his Asian Tour breakthrough triumph at the 2008 Midea China Classic.

“This tournament in Malaysia, competing with the top players in the world and defeating someone (Choi) I look up to, is special.”

Choi birdied the last hole to draw level with Noh in the event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.

The teenager then showed nerves of steel by floating a superb chip shot from behind a hospitality marquee to within four feet of the cup before sinking his putt for a matching birdie and a one-shot win.

“When KJ birdied the last I thought if I got a par I would get into a playoff and if I lost in the playoff it wouldn’t disappoint me too much because I was competing against KJ, and if he won I would also be happy as he is from the same country,” said Noh.

He may be a golf champion but Noh has yet to buy his first car.

“I just got my driver’s licence last year and I don’t have a car,” he said. “I borrow my mum’s 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 will be halfway to achieving that goal so this gives me the motivation to play better,” smiled Noh.

(Editing by Alison Wildey. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

By Tony Jimenez

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