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Kuala Lumpur. South Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul claimed a place in this year’s British Open by finishing in the top four in an Asian qualifying tournament completed on Thursday.

Noh, winner of last week’s Malaysian Open, qualified for the world’s oldest major by shooting a four-under-par 68 in Thursday’s second and final round. The tournament was won by Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita (66), who shot a two-day total of 11-under-par 133.

Others to qualify were Malaysia’s Danny Chia and South Korean amateur Eric Chun, who birdied his last hole to claim his place at St. Andrews.

“I’m really happy, but honestly it hasn’t settled in yet. It has been a great two weeks for me, but I’m not going to let it get to my head,” the 18-year-old Noh said.

Noh birdied his last two holes and was delighted with his round except for a bogey on the 16th hole.

Fujita, who played in all four rounds in the British Open in 2005, carded a flawless round with six birdies.

Chia had an up-and-down round that included an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys. He played in the British Open in 2005, which was also held at St. Andrews, and in 2008.

Chun, who was on five-under alongside three other players going into the final hole, held his nerve to sink his birdie putt from four feet (1.4 meters) to claim the last berth.



Associated Press