Asian golf uncovers new star in Noh

GOLF: SINGAPORE, Dec 25, (AFP) - Asian golf uncovered a new star in 2010 with teen sensation Noh Seung-Yul winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit race as a battle between rival tours raged on. Noh became the youngest player ever to top the money list after bursting onto the scene by winning the European Tour co-sanctioned Malaysian Open in March, while China's Liang Wenchong won the OneAsia Tour merit crown. "I was happy to win the Malaysian Open this year. It allowed me to compete in Europe, the US and also the three Majors," said the 19-year-old.

"It started from my win in Malaysia. The event was good for me," added Noh, rookie of the year in 2008.

Australia's Marcus Fraser, who won the Ballantines Championship in South Korea in April, came second in the merit standings and said the Tour was fortunate to have a player of Noh's calibre.

"Everyone knew it was going to happen. Noh Seung-Yul was always going to fly away with the Order of Merit title," he said.

"He's a great player. The Asian Tour is lucky to have him on the money list." In an open year, the only golfer to win more than once on the Asian Tour was Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Myanamar Open and Queens Cup) while Siddikur became the first Bangladeshi to lift a trophy by claiming the Brunei Open.

Plenty of top European talent once again travelled to the region and some found success, including Padraig Harrington who snapped a two-year winless streak when he won the Johor Open in Malaysia.

Ian Poulter claimed the Hong Kong Open title while Adam Scott scored an unprecedented third victory at the Singapore Open.