Hwang enjoys playoff triumph at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open

Korea’s Hwang Inn-choon denied Noh Seung-yul a place in golf history with a play-off win at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship on Sunday.

Hwang parred the play-off hole at the par four 18th while Noh missed his par putt and ended his dream run to become Asian Tour’s youngster winner before his 17th birthday on May 29.

“This is a great result for me. It is really unexpected and a surprise to me, I’m very happy,” said Hwang, moments after his triumph.

As a result of his success, Hwang walked away with the top prize of US$107,142 at the Nam Seoul Country Club and nailed his first win on the Asian Tour.

After a two stroke lead over the field in the third round, overnight leader Noh kept the momentum going on the final day firing an even-par 72. But Hwang bounced back with a four-under-par 68 to force a play-off as both players were tied on a four-day total of nine-under-par 279s.

At the par four 18th play-off hole, Noh misjudged his approach shot as the ball rolled over the green while Hwang was on the green on two. Noh then chipped short off the pin and missed the par putt while Hwang two putted for par and the win.

“I am very happy as I didn’t expect to win. Before the last round, I was four shots behind. I wasn’t even thinking of winning and I was playing my own game. I thought I could have won it earlier but I missed an eight foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation play.

“In the play-off, I was nervous as I took a long time to line up my par putt but I was very relieved when I holed it,” added Hwang.

Noh, the former Korean amateur number one, walked away with a positive mindset as he continued his superb form this season chalking up his third runner-up finish.

Noh had previously finished second at the SAIL Open in India and the Asian Tour International in Thailand before his surging performance this week on home soil. Thanks to his steady game, Noh rises to 11th position on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit with total earnings of US$175,877.

Kang Ji-man shot a 68 finished in a tie for third place alongside amateur Kim Bi-o who carded a 67 while Bae Sang-moon, who won the SK Telecom Open last year, was even-par to claim lone fifth place.

Defending champion Kim Kyung-tae endured a slow finish after a 74 and claimed tied sixth place. American Chris Riley was among those who finished alongside Kim after a 71.

Leading fourth round scores
279 - Hwang Inn-choon (KOR) 71-67-73-68, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 69-70-68-72
Hwang defeated Noh in the first play-off hole
280 - Kang Ji-man (KOR) 67-72-73-68, Kim Bi-o [A] (KOR) 72-69-72-67
281 - Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 71-68-70-72
283 - Lee Jin-won (KOR) 69-72-72-70, Chris Riley (USA) 71-72-69-71, Kim Do-hoon Iii (KOR) 70-70-69-74, Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 69-71-69-74
284 - Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 70-75-71-68, Kang Sung-hoon (KOR) 73-68-73-70
285 - Park Jun-won (KOR) 75-70-70-70, Jun Tae-hyun (KOR) 70-68-73-74, Park Sung-kook (KOR) 69-70-72-74
286 - Unho Park (AUS) 77-70-71-68, Kim Hyung-tae (KOR) 72-72-71-71, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 72-75-68-71, Kim Sang-ki (KOR) 73-72-70-71, Kang Mo-hoon (KOR) 77-65-70-74, Kim Wi-joong (KOR) 72-70-68-76