Seung-Yul Noh wins Maybank Malaysian Open

South Korean teenager Seung-yul Noh beat his countryman K.J. Choi by a single shot to win the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

Seung-yul Noh
Fergus Bisset
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South Korean teenager Seung-yul Noh beat his countryman K.J. Choi by a single shot to win the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

Choi birdied the last hole to post the clubhouse target at 13-under-par. It looked like that might be enough to at least force a playoff when Noh hooked his drive from the 18th then fired his second onto the cart path by the practice putting green. But the 18-year-old held his nerve and played a superb chip from behind a hospitality marquee and over a greenside bunker that ended just feet from the cup. He holed the putt and won by a shot.

"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. "Coincidentally, when I was playing a practice 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."

Although defeated, Choi was full of praise for his teenage compatriot. "Hats off to Seung-yul, he played well and had a fantastic round. He is one of the most powerful young talents coming up."

Rhys Davies from Wales fired a final round 71 to end the week in a tie for third with Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Soren Hansen. Englan's Danny Willett finished alone in sixth.

Maybank Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Malaysia Mar 4-7, purse €1,600,000, par 72

1    Seung-Yul Noh (Kor)    69    70    67    68    274     2    K.J. Choi (Kor)        67    70    69    69    275     T3    Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 68 69    68    71    276     T3    Rhys Davies (Wal)    65    69    71    71    276     T3    Soren Hansen (Den)    70    67    69    70    276     6    Danny Willett (Eng)    72    69    68    68    277     T7    Johan Edfors (Swe)    69    69    69    71    278     T7    Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)    66    71    69    72    278     9    Jason Knutzon (USA)    73    67    72    67    279     T10    Mark Brown (NZ)        71    71    72    66    280     T10    Rahil Gangjee (Ind)    68    75    66    71    280     T10    Peter Lawrie (Ire)        69    72    71    68    280     T10    Angelo Que (Phi)        70    67    72    71    280    

Note: Player scores in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.  

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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