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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 07 March 2010
Astonishing Last Hole Birdie Sees Noh Secure Maybank Malyasian Open
Noh Seung-yul sealed a dramatic victory at the Maybank Malaysian Open after a thrilling final round battle between seven players climaxed with unbelievable drama on the 18th hole, where the young Korean made an astonishing birdie to edge out his countryman KJ Choi by a single stroke at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
After four and half pulsating hours of entertainment provided by Noh, Choi, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Rhys Davies, Søren Hansen, Thongchai Jaidee and Danny Willett, the 18 year old produced the most unlikely of birdies to post a final round of four under par 68 for a 14 under winning total worth US$333,333.
Standing on the 634-yard 18th tee with a one stroke advantage over Choi, Hansen, Aphibarnrat and Davies, Noh hooked his drive wildly onto the tenth fairway. With Choi and Hansen playing in front of him, and Aphibarnrat and Davies playing alongside him, Noh was under huge pressure as he fired his drive miles left off the tee.
His three wood second shot stayed left, flying over the Maybank hospitality unit to the left of the 18th green and eventually coming to rest on the concrete cart path, some 30 yards from the green. As spectators flocked around his ball, Choi sank his five foot birdie attempt to pile the pressure on his young countryman.
Noh eventually got to his ball and was granted relief from the cart path, allowing him to drop his ball on the fringe of the practice putting green, giving him a shot at glory.
He grabbed that shot with both hands, staying cool under tremendous pressure in the most punishing heat and surrounded by a fervent Malaysian crowd to produce a sublime chip shot over the left-hand bunker to within just 18 inches of the hole to send the crowd into rapturous applause.
Davies and Aphibarnrat proceeded to miss their respective birdie attempts to leave Noh the simplest of tap-ins to secure his first European Tour victory, and his second success on the Asian Tour.
"I first won on the Asian Tour in 2008 but I struggled last year, but to win early in this year I am very happy," said Noh, who now holds card in Asia, Europe and Japan.
"Coincidentally, when I was playing a practise round with K J earlier in the week he asked me when my last win was and when I told him it was in 2008 he said 'isn't it about time you won?'
"For it to happen this week, I couldn't think of a better situation."
Choi, meanwhile, was effusive in his praise for the young Korean champion.
"I'm not disappointed at all," said KJ. "I played well and tried my best. Hats off to Seung-yul, he played well and had a fantastic round. I'm happy with how my game has improved and I have a lot to look forward to. Noh played brilliantly and I have no complaints.
"He is one of the most powerful young talents in the game. The way that he controls and hits the ball is like no other 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.”
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