Noh Seung-yul has dedicated his maiden PGA Tour victory to the victims of the recent Jeju Island ferry disaster.
The 22-year old maintained his composure to post a final round one-under-par 71 to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans by two strokes.
Noh Seung-yul dedicates his maiden PGA Tour success to the victims of the South Korean ferry disaster.
The 2010 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner had to overcome the blustery conditions with wind gusting up to 30 mph to seal the victory with a 19-under-par 269 total, defeating Andrew Svoboda and Robert Streb by two shots.
Noh, a three-time Asian Tour winner, shot four birdies including an important birdie on 16 after his approach landed three feet from the hole. He then made a 14-foot par putt on 17 to ensure a two-shot cushion heading into the final hole.
“If I miss that putt (par on 17) it’s just one shot, so makes 18 a little easier because it’s not just one shot. But I made that putt and then two‑shot lead, very comfortable the last hole, and 16 and 17 are key today,” said Noh, who was drenched in beer by countrymen Y.E. Yang and Charlie Wi on the 18th green.
Noh’s win earns him a place in next fortnight’s Players Championship and also an invitation to the 2015 Masters.
“This is a dream come true. I dreamed of always playing PGA TOUR‑‑ or playing with like‑‑ the top 10 players or playing any major, especially the Masters. But dream come true today, and I’m very excited to play in the Masters,” said Noh.
“There are a lot of young winners on the PGA Tour, like Rory, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, all the younger guys winning two times, so I will try and keep working hard to catch up with those guys.”
However it was also a moving victory for the quietly-spoken South Korean and remembering the victims of a ferry that capsized and sank earlier this month and with a very good many still unaccounted.
Jeju Island was the venue for three years from 2008-2010 of the Ballantine’s Championship and Noh competed in both 2009 and 2010.
“What happened back home is very tragic and we are all thinking of those who have been affected, and it is why we have been wearing special ribbons this week to show that we care,” said Noh.
“I have played on Jeju Island many times and I know the location where the ferry sank so that makes it the more emotional and sad.
“I just hope my victory in some small way brings a smile to the face of my people back home.”
