Noh has bright future, says Yang

Asia’s first Major champion Y.E. Yang of Korea has predicted a bright future for countryman Noh Seung-yul ahead of the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open which tees off on Thursday.

Yang made history by becoming the first Asian to win a Major at the US PGA Championship last year and he will be one of the main draw cards at the Sentosa Golf Club this week.

He will be playing for the third straight week and hopes to recover from a stiff neck to launch a title assault this week.

"I got tired in Shanghai and went into a deep sleep. I think I slept on my belly and turned my back to one position and kept it that way for a few hours. So when I woke up yesterday I had soreness and stiffness in the back of my neck," said Yang, who won the Volvo China Open and Kolon Korea Open this year.

"I’ve had some physiotherapy and hopefully it will get better. If the neck is not causing me any problems, I think I will play well."

Yang showered praise on 19-year-old Noh, who is aiming to be the youngest Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

"He has a bright future if he can fortify his mental game and probably cope with the pressure a little bit better – not that I’m saying it is bad right now," said Yang.

"We have a good personal relationship and he hits the ball very far, much further than I like it some times! I guess it comes with youth. If he can sustain that kind of game coupled with a little bit of improvement on the mental side, he will be a much better player than I’m right now and will be astronomically better than I’m when he comes to my age."

Noh was delighted with the kind words from Yang, who he calls his "older brother" and said he has improved tremendously since winning the Malaysian Open in March. His confidence is also soaring after finishing in tied 16th place in Shanghai last week.

"I have played in many big tournaments this season and gained a lot of experience. My game has been good and I’m looking forward to this week," said Noh, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour.