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Rookie Noh get UBS Japan Tour Championship invite

Korean young gun Noh Seung-yul will be hoping to find the recipe for success when he tees off at the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship on Thursday.

The 17-year-old Noh will be banking on his steady form heading into Japan eager to notch a top finish at the Shihido Hills Country Club.

Noh was invited by UBS based on his outstanding rookie season so far on the Asian Tour this year where he chalked up three runner-up finishes.

He will be joined by other title contenders that include Thai stalwart Thaworn Wiratchant, who won the Bangkok Airways Open last month, compatriot Prayad Marksaeng, Filipino Artemio Murakami and China’s Zhang Lian-wei.

Defending champion Shingo Katayama will lead the local charge in the US$1.4 million event ahead of Toru Taniguchi, who won an 14 titles on the Japan circuit, and Hideto Tanihara.

But it will be the Korean teenager who is tipped to tackle the tricky greens and undulating fairways for the top prize at the West Course at Shishido Hills Country Club.

“It’s been a great year for me on the Asian Tour in the first half and my game has been good. I want to continue my form heading into this week.

“I played 18 holes already and the conditions are nice. It is quite different to how it is in Korea with the thick greens. My game is consistent and although I missed the cut in Koh Samui, I’m hoping to stay in the leading fray here.

“My dad is with me this week so I have the support out there. The weather is just nice and it will be a good test from tee to green,” said the Gangwondo-based Korean who took time off his practice round to learn the art of making traditional soba noodles alongside Thaworn, Zhang and Murakami.

Thailand’s Thaworn was invited by UBS being one of the most successful players in Asia. The 41-year-old Thai was recently crowned the Bangkok Airways Open winner last month which had brought his tally to a record 10th title on the Asian Tour. In 2005, Thaworn had dominated the year having nailed a record four titles and became the first player to break the US$500,000 mark in total career earnings in a single season.

Compatriot Prom Meesawat will join the other Asian Tour stars together with Filipino legend Frankie Minoza and Chinese Taipei duo of Yeh Wei-tze and Lin Keng-chi at Ibaraki which is located 90 minutes Northeast of Tokyo.

The winner this week will also gain automatic entry into the US$8 million Bridgestone Invitational which is part of The World Golf Championship tournament.

July 1, 2008