Apprentice Noh masters his idol Choi in landmark win

SOUTH Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul set his sights on emulating childhood idol KJ Choi after edging out his veteran compatriot by one shot at the Maybank Malaysian Open to become the second youngest winner in European Tour history.

Aged just 18 years and nine months, Noh birdied the final hole to card a final-round four-under-par 68 and top the leaderboard at 14 under – despite playing the exquisite chip which set up the two-foot conversion from the edge of the practice putting green behind a hospitality marquee.

With Noh holding a one-shot lead but actually playing from the 10th fairway following a wayward final drive, 39-year-old Choi had set the clubhouse lead after a three-under 69 with a four-foot birdie putt after letting slip a one-shot lead following his only bogey on the penultimate green.

The only younger player to have won on the circuit was Korean-born New Zealand amateur Danny Lee at last year's Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia. He was 18 years six months at the time.

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 220,000 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 KJ 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 career options.

"My plan is to play in Japan and the big tournaments in Asia, as I need to gain more experience on the bigger stages, with my ultimate goal being to qualify for the PGA Tour through Q-School," added the world No266.

"With my win I get my status on the European Tour so this might change some of my plans. If I split my time between Japan and Europe it will be a good experience. 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."

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.

"I'm not disappointed at all. I played well and tried my best. My hat's off to Seung-yul, he played well and had a fantastic round," said world No96 Choi.

"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 in the near future he is going to be on the world stage." Joint overnight leaders Rhys Davies (71) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (71) and Soren Hansen (70) all missed lengthy birdie putts at the last to finish tied for third at 12-under-par.

Danny Willett posted a second consecutive 68 over the weekend to claim sixth, a further shot off the pace, while

Steven O'Hara finished as the leading Scot after a closing 70 earned him a tie for 34th on two-under-par.

Stephen Gallacher finished just inside the top 50 after a final-round 73 left him on one-over, while Ross Bain, who had been inside the top ten after the opening round, was 76th on seven-over after his closing 74.

FINAL TOTALS

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, Par 72):

274 Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 69 70 67 68

275 K J Choi (Kor) 67 70 69 69

276 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 68 69 68 71, Soren Hansen (Den) 70 67 69 70, Rhys Davies 65 69 71 71

277 Danny Willett 72 69 68 68

278 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 66 71 69 72, Johan Edfors (Swe) 69 69 69 71

279 Jason Knutzon (USA) 73 67 72 67

280 Rahil Gangjee (Ind) 68 75 66 71, Angelo Que (Phi) 70 67 72 71, Peter Lawrie 69 72 71 68, Mark Brown (Nzl) 71 71 72 66

281 Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 67 69 71 74, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 65 72 71 73, Shingo Katayama (Jpn) 76 69 68 68

282 Wei Chih Lu (Tha) 74 70 68 70, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 69 73 70 70

Others: 286 Steven O'Hara 74 71 71 70. 289 Stephen Gallacher 72 69 75 73. 295 Ross Bain 68 77 76 74