Seung-Yu Noh and Lydia Ko Do South Korea Proud

Golf’s Young Guns Continue Their Hear-Me-Roar Movement

Chris Duthie

South Korea, still reeling from the ferry disaster that has left 304 people missing or dead, got some sorely needed positive news this past weekend when two of its own—both fresh-faced youngsters—won big on the world’s biggest golf tours.

Playing like a seasoned veteran, 22-year-old Seung-Yu Noh was impressive in winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Noh overcame final-round, 30 mile-per-hour wind gusts at the TPC Louisiana and secured a two-stroke win—his first on the PGA Tour—over Andrew Svoboda and Robert Streb.

Throughout the tournament Noah wore black and yellow ribbons on this golf hat to honor victims and survivors of the April 16 ferry accident. “Hopefully, they’ll be happy,” said the soft-spoken Noh, who played the first three rounds without a bogey, finished at 19-under 269 and earned $1,224,000.

The astonishing victory was not lost on fellow countrymen Charlie Wi and Y.E. Yang, who gleefully sprayed and showered Noah on the 18^th green with bottled beer.

“Dreams come true,” said Noh. “When I started at (age) 7 playing golf, I dreamed of always playing (on the) PGA Tour … or playing any major, especially the Masters.”

At San Francisco’s Lake Merced Golf Club, teenage sensation Lydia Ko showed the unflappable poise and talent she has displayed all season, posting a one-stroke victory at the inaugural Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.

Ko fired a final-round 69, capped by a thrilling 18th-hole birdie that gave her a one-stroke edge over Stacy Lewis and Jenny Shin.

Raised in New Zealand but born in South Korea, Ko’s last seven days have included her 17th birthday, receiving a Time magazine nod as one of the most influential people in the world, winning her third LPGA Tour title—her first as a professional—and moving up to No. 2 on the world rankings.

Quite a week for the young phenom, who also has won in Canada, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. And on this occasion, she did it in front her father, G.H., and with a stand-in caddy supplied by the local club.

“Tears nearly ran down my face,” said Ko, who finished at 12-under 276 and earned $270,000. “You may lose friends, but you’re always going to have your parents. I try to make myself not cry (tears) of happiness, but it was coming to that point.”

NEXT UP

PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship; May 1-4; Quail Hollow Club; Charlotte NC

LPGA Tour: North Texas LPGA Shootout; May 1-4; Las Colinas CC; Irving TX

Champions Tour: Insperity Invitational; May 2-4; The Woodlands CC; Woodlands TX

RELATED LINKS

Ko Nearly Captures LPGA Title in Phoenix…

… And Was a Near-Miss in Australia

Update: South Korea’s Maritime Disaster

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.