Noh targets Malaysian double at Iskandar Johor Open
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Korean teen star Noh Seung-yul will be gunning for a unique Malaysian double when he competes in the star-studded Iskandar Johor Open next week.
The 19-year-old, who currently leads the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, is relishing a return to Malaysia as he claimed a memorable victory at Malaysia's national Open in March.
Then, he produced one of the shots of the season to set up his winning birdie on the 72nd hole which relegated illustrious countryman K.J. Choi, the title holder of the Iskandar Johor Open, into second place.
"I've got good feelings for Malaysia. Winning in Malaysia gave me the chance to broaden my horizons and also play in Europe. I like Malaysia a lot, although the weather is a little hot,"said Noh.
Since breaking through on the Asian Tour in 2008, he has taken the region by storm and is on course to become the youngest ever Asian number one where he leads the Order of Merit with US$666,361.
Noh is looking forward to squaring off again with Choi, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, at the US$1.25 million Iskandar Johor Open as the latter has been an inspiration to him. "He's achieved so much and I'm looking forward to seeing him again,"said Noh.
Apart from Choi, 2008 Iskandar Johor Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa and Europe's victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and team member Padraig Harrington of Ireland will also feature at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in Johor Bahru from October 14-17.
"My golf life changed after winning the Maybank Malaysian Open. I had the chance to play in Europe and it gave me a lot of experience as conditions there are different than Asia. I think it will help me become a better player,"said Noh, whose recent good form include top-10 finishes at the Omega European Masters and Panasonic Open in Japan.
"I played in last year's Iskandar Johor Open and finished in the top-10. I hear we'll be playing on a top golf course next week and I'm looking forward to playing well there. Hopefully I can win again in Malaysia,"said Noh.
Like the great Seve Ballesteros, Noh learned the game on the beach near his home in Seoul and developed into one of the country's top amateur stars. He turned professional at a tender age of 16 and almost became the youngest ever winner on the Asian Tour in 2008 but lost in a play-off at the Maekyung Open on home soil.
He subsequently won the Midea China Classic later that season which helped him become the Rookie of the Year. Since then, he has grown in stature and even caught the attention of the likes Greg Norman and John Daly.
"He's an impressive young player. He's got a big future and I enjoyed my walk in the park with him,"said Aussie legend Norman after they played together in Switzerland last month.
Noh is focussed on his goals in wanting to play his way into the history books. "I know I have a chance to become the youngest ever Asian Tour number one. I'm going to try and hopefully, another good result at the Iskandar Johor Open will push me closer towards my goal,"said the young Korean.
Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the official regional sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia and the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia, the Iskandar Johor Open will be contested by 144 players consisting of the top 116 players on the Asian Tour ranking, the top 10 Malaysians on the PGAM Order of Merit, 10 sponsors invites, top five players from the Malaysian Qualifier and top three players from the International Qualifier.
The main sponsor of the Iskandar Johor Open is the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). It is also supported by platinum sponsor - UEM Land Holdings Berhad, the master developer of Nusajaya which is a key driver of Iskandar Malaysia and hosted by the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Other co-sponsors include 100 Plus, Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru, Heineken, Kuok Brothers Sdn. Bhd, Pulai Springs Resort, Ricoh, Srixon, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Telekom Malaysia, Titoni and Winston Wine. The official media partners are Fairways, Golf Malaysia and ParGolf. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Johor Golf Association.
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