Noh Seung-yul hopes to follow in the footsteps of childhood hero KJ Choi after his triumph in the Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday.
Korean teenager hopes to emulate childhood hero
Noh Seung-yul hopes to follow in the footsteps of childhood hero KJ Choi after his triumph in the Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday.
The South Korean teenager, playing his 13th European Tour event, edged out his veteran compatriot by a single shot to lift the title at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
At just 18 years and nine months, the victory saw him become the second youngest winner in European Tour history.
He is second only to Korean-born New Zealand amateur Danny Lee, who took last year's Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia at 18 years and six months.
"And beating someone I have looked up to in KJ makes it more special," he said. "KJ has been a role model for me.
Experience
"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 now his attention to the Open's Asian qualifier starting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday before weighing up his options between Japan, Asia and Europe.
Whichever route he chooses, though, the world number 266 knows that America must be the his ultimate goal if he is to pursue his dream of emulating seven-time PGA Tour winner Choi.
"My plan is to play in Japan and the big tournaments in Asia," added Noh.
"I need to gain more experience on the bigger stages, with my ultimate goal being to qualify for the PGA Tour through Q-School.
Fantastic
"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."
World number 96 Choi, who last won in Malaysia in October, paid tribute to the young winner and said he was one to watch in the future.
"I'm not disappointed at all," he said. "I played well and tried my best. My hat's off to Seung-yul, he played well and had a fantastic round.
"He is one of the most powerful young talents coming up. 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."
