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CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland: South Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul has a bright future ahead of him, according to Australia's former world number one golfer Greg Norman.
Noh played two rounds with Norman at the European Masters, an Asian Tour co-sanctioned event, and the 55-year-old Australian liked what he saw from his 19-year-old rival.
"He's an impressive young player. He's got a big future and I enjoyed my walk in the park with them," said Norman, referring as well to clubhouse leader Edoardo Molinari of Italy.
Noh, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, shot a five-under-par 66 in the second round on Friday, but Norman shot a second straight 75 to miss the halfway cut.
Man-of-the-moment Molinari, who won last week's Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland which earned him a Ryder Cup call-up, was also impressed with Noh.
"He's a hell of a player. It was definitely good fun out there playing with Greg and him," said the Italian, who holds the clubhouse lead on 11-under-par 131.
Noh, who won the Malaysian Open in March thanks to a sensational chip at the 72nd hole that set up his winning birdie against countryman K.J. Choi, said he had enjoyed playing alongside Norman, a former world number one and winner of 91 titles around the world.
"Greg is a former world number one, so I had a lot of good experience playing with them. I'm happy," said Noh, who will go into the third round five shots behind Molinari.
Noh added that Molinari was the obvious man to beat.
"He hits it so straight and is a nice chipper and putter. I played with many players and I think he's the number one short game player. I learned a lot from him as well," he said
"I'll keep working hard for the weekend rounds. Putting is difficult here as the greens are difficult. But it was better for me than Thursday. I had more confidence today. It felt better."
An added incentive for the South Korean here is to finish strongly and preserve his slender lead atop the Asian Tour's Order of Merit.
He missed the cut last year and learnt his lesson.
"Because of the high altitude, you get a bit more distance than other courses. Last year, I didn't know how to handle the distances and kept hitting every shot over the green. It's much better this week. I just take away 10 percent in my distances," he said.
- AFP/de
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