2009 GS Caltex Maekyung Open - 2008 flashback: Hwang denies Noh historic chance as he claims his maiden win

The Asian Tour makes a second visit to Korea this week for the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at Nam Seoul Country Club which starts on Thursday. Sanctioned with the Korean Golf Association, the prestigious event has very much been the domain of local stars.

We look back at the last year's Maekyung Open, where Hwang Inn-choon denied teen titan Noh Seung-yul a place in history with a play-off triumph.

Noh Seung-yul had one last throw of the dice in a bold attempt to earn his place in Asian Tour history. But in the end, he agonisingly lost his chance in a play-off lottery.

The GS Caltex Maekyung Open, one of Korea's most prestigious tournaments, was on the brink of witnessing a great achievement when 16-year-old Noh played his way into a two-shot third round lead at Nam Seoul Country Club.

It really didn't quite catch everyone by surprise that the prodigious talent was merely 18 holes away from becoming the youngest winner on the Asian Tour. Afterall, he had already amassed two impressive runner-up finishes and another top-10 in what was his rookie season.

But as fate would have it, little-known Hwang Inn-choon denied the teenage sensation his day of glory after prevailing in a tense sudden-death shoot-out.

Hwang courageously overcame a four-stroke deficit in regulation play and then ended his young compatriot's dream by winning the first extra hole with a par.

"This is a great result for me. It is really unexpected and a surprise to me, I'm very happy," said Hwang.

For his maiden success, Hwang walked away with the top prize of US$107,142 but he will forever be remembered as the man who thwarted Noh's bid in making golf history.

Noh, who was aiming to beat Chinnarat Phadungsil's record of 17 years and five days when the Thai won the 2005 Double A International Open, failed to keep his foot on the pedal despite taking a two-shot lead into the last round.

He carded a final day 72 and was caught by Hwang's impressive 68 as the pair ended the tournament tied on nine-under-par 279.

At the par four 18th play-off hole, Noh sent his approach past the green while Hwang hit the putting surface in regulation. The younger Korean left his chip short and missed the par putt which allowed Hwang the luxury of two putts for victory.

"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, a former Korean amateur number one, walked away with a positive mindset, knowing that his time will come on the Asian Tour.

"I am not at all disappointed with what happened. I'm just very happy to finish strongly in front of my home fans. It was an entirely different experience there," said the slender Noh, who would later in the season win the Midea China Classic.

Kang Ji-man shot a 68 and 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 alone in fifth place.

Defending champion Kim Kyung-tae endured a slow finish with a 74 for a share of sixth place.

May 11, 2009