Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul enjoyed a stellar start to the Maybank Malaysian Open today, carding a 10-under-par 62 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round.
The 17-year-old fired an eagle and nine birdies against a lone bogey at Saujana Golf & Country Club's Palm Course to edge ahead of playing partner Alexander Noren of Sweden in the $2 million event, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.
Gareth Maybin was the best of the Irish, on three under, while Damien McGrane finished one over, with Peter Lawrie on level par and Gary Murphy five (over) completing the Irish contingent.
Former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-chong of China and France's Jean-Francois Lucquin were tied for third after shooting seven-under 65s while Nick Dougherty finished strongly to join Australia's Adam Blyth and local favourite Danny China in fifth, a further shot back.
Japanese ace Shingo Katayama and two-time Malaysian Open winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand are in contention on three under, but world number 11 Anthony Kim has much work to do if he hopes to survive the cut after struggling to a six-over 78.
Noh, last year's Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, began his round on the back nine with a poor tee shot at the 10th but recovered to sink his first birdie of the day from 45 feet.
Playing partner Noren set the pace for much of the morning after opening with four consecutive birdies and going out in six under.
But Noh kept in touch with the Swede and overhauled him with an eagle at the par-five seventh and his ninth birdie of the day on the eighth.
The lone blemish on the Korean's round was a bogey on the par-three fifth but the youngster had much to smile about after his magnificent opening effort.
‘I didn't make any mistakes today and I putted really well to post a good score,’ said Noh, who won the Midea China Classic and had three runner-up finishes on his debut season on the Asian Tour.
‘I'm happy but you don't win a tournament on the first day.
‘The eagle on seven was pretty special but with a 10 under today, every moment was a highlight.’
Noren had nine birdies in his bogey-free 63 and Noh admitted the Swede's good play was a motivating factor for himself.
‘He played well at the start of the round,’ said Noh, an admirer of KJ Choi and Australian ace Adam Scott.
‘I wasn't thinking of beating him but I just tied to catch him during the round. He pushed me along.’
Noren, who has yet to win on the European Tour, was impressed by the teenager.
‘He is unbelievable,’ said the Swede. ‘Our first hole was the 10th and he hit his tee shot way right and I thought to myself he might be a little bit nervous.
‘Next thing I know he knocks it on the green and makes the putt for birdie. Obviously he wasn't too nervous.
‘He was just unbelievable. I seemed to be one ahead of him all day but then he birdied four, eagled seven and birdied eight to get one ahead of me.’
Having fired a nine-over 81 at Saujana two years ago, Noren was much happier with his opening effort this time around.
‘I played here two years ago and found it very tough so either I'm getting better or the course is getting easier,’ he quipped.
‘I had bad memories of this place but I love it now.’
Kim will be looking for a marked improvement in his putting tomorrow after a poor opening round.
‘It was a very bad day at the office,’ said the American.
‘My ball striking was as good as it has been for the last couple of months but obviously I putted like I couldn't see, which was unfortunate.
‘But we'll get them tomorrow. I haven't hit my driver that well in a long, long time and I am confident that I can go out there tomorrow and shoot quite a few under par if I can get a few putts to fall.’
