SANDWICH (AFP) ? Asian Tour number one Noh Seung-Yul of South Korea is determined to impress on the biggest stage of all and knows that he is capable of doing so following his first round score at the British Open on Thursday.
The prodigious Korean opened his campaign with a one-under-par 69 to upstage some of the world?s biggest names.
“I?m very happy with how I?ve played today. I?ll go out there and play even better tomorrow,” said Noh, who is making his second appearance at the British Open.
“I did everything right today. Apart from a few bad tee shots, everything was okay. This is not an easy course to play but I?m glad I?m still able to handle it well,” added Noh who marked his card with two birdies against a lone bogey on the par-three third at Royal St. George?s.
While Noh may have reached the pinnacle of the game in Asia when he became the youngest winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last season, the consummate professional knows that there is still a lot more to be accomplished.
“My best finish at a Major was a tied-28th finish at the PGA Championship last year and I want to do better than that at this week?s British Open,” said Noh, who earned his place in the world?s oldest Major through his Merit success.
“I?ve a good chance to do that and will make the best out of it,” added Noh.
Noh may have struggled to find his form earlier in the year after making swing changes under the guidance of world renowned coach Butch Harmon, but he knew that the result will show if he continued to keep faith in himself.
“I?ve always believed in myself and despite some people questioning why I had to change my swing after achieving so much success, deep down inside me, I know it would be a change for the better,” said Noh.
Compatriot Yang Yong-Eun, whose name has been enshrined in the history books as the first Asian male to win a Major, meanwhile plans to adopt a more aggressive approach to keep his title ambitions alive after returning with a 71, the same as KJ Choi.
He posted two bogeys on holes three and four before going on to make pars until the par-five 14th where he carded his only birdie of his round.
“The winds died down considerably in my back-nine and I should have capitalised on it. The conditions were easier there and because I couldn?t finish my round on a positive note, I?m going to play a lot more aggressive tomorrow,” said Yang.
Thailand?s Prom Meesawat battled to an opening 72 but is savouring every moment in his Major debut.
From having used to watching the action from the comforts of his living room to finally teeing up alongside the world?s best players, Prom now hopes that his run will extend into the weekend.
“This is my first Major and it?s a good score for me. It?s a great experience playing in front of so many people and learning how to keep my focus under all of these different conditions,” said Prom, who holds one victory on the Asian Tour.
“I hit a lot of good tee shots today but the winds were blowing very strongly especially on the front-nine and it was difficult to get my ball to stop. I going to try harder tomorrow but a lot will depend on the wind conditions and hopefully it?ll be favourable for me,” added the Thai who mixed his card with six bogeys against four birdies.
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