Cool Noh stuns Choi with last-hole birdie
Source: Agencies |
March 8, 2010, Monday
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SOUTH Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul demonstrated nerves of steel to win the Malaysian Open by one shot yesterday after a magical final-hole birdie.
The 18-year-old floated a superb chip shot from behind a hospitality marquee to within four feet as his four-under 68 edged out compatriot K J Choi, who closed with a 69.
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.
"It was a good up-and-down," Noh said of his finish at the 18th. "This week I've had three or four chip-ins for birdies and I also chipped it in today on No. 1.
"That kind of gave me a good vibe so I was able to close it out," added Noh, who has now secured Tour cards in Japan, Asia and Europe after winning the US$2 million co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour event.
"My ultimate goal is to try to make it on the US PGA Tour. Playing in Europe and Japan and Asia will definitely help me on the road to getting my US card."
Noh stepped on to the final tee with a one-stroke lead but hooked his drive badly before hitting his second shot on to the cart path running along the practice putting green.
With Choi having just birdied the 18th, Noh calmly chipped over a greenside bunker to leave himself a short putt for victory.
"Hats off to Seung-yul," said Choi. "He had a fantastic round. I have no complaints. He is one of the most powerful young talents coming up."
Dane Soren Hansen shot a 70 for a share of third with Kiradech and Davies, while Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, who began the final round one off the lead, fell away with an even-par 72.
Yesterday's final round belonged to Noh, whose father caddied for him during the tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
"KJ asked me when my last win was," he said. "I told him it was in 2008 and he goes: 'Well its about time you won!'
"For it to happen this week, I couldn't think of a better situation."
At Gold Coast, Karrie Webb won her seventh Australian Ladies Masters title yesterday, closing with a course-record 11-under 61 for a six-stroke victory.
Webb, a stroke ahead of Australian compatriot and defending champion Katherine Hull and South Korea's Lee Bo-mee entering the final round, finished at 26-under 262 to match the tournament record she set in 1999.
Webb holed a nine-iron approach from about 125 yards for eagle on the par-four seventh and made a 30-foot putt on No. 18 for her ninth birdie of the round. She broke the course record of 62 set last year by Kristie Smith.
Hull and Lee shot 66s to tie for second in the event sanctioned by Australian Ladies Professional Golf and the Ladies European Tour.
South Korea's Seo Hee-kyung (66) was fourth at 19 under, and compatriot Ryu So-yeon (70) followed at 15 under. American Amanda Blumenherst, the leader after the first two rounds, shot a 70 to tie for eighth, 13 strokes back.
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