K.J.Choi
Korean stalwarts Y.E. Yang and K.J. Choi advanced into the second round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship on Wednesday but it was the end of the road for Asian Tour number one Noh Seung-yul.
Yang, Asia’s first Major champion and an Asian Tour honorary member, went the distance with in-form Alvaro Quiros of Spain to win one-up on the 20th hole. His next opponent will be American Stewart Cink, who upset title holder Ian Poulter.
Choi was never ahead of his match against South African Retief Goosen until he birdied the 16th hole and held on to his lead till the 18thhole for a one-up victory. The Korean strongman will face Ryan Moore of the United States in the second round.
However, Noh, who became the youngest Asian Tour Order of Merit champion last season, was given a lesson in Match Play competition when he was outclassed by world number two Martin Kaymer of Germany.
Kaymer, the reigning European number one, won the first four holes and never looked back in his 7 & 6 lesson to the Korean teenager.
Another Korean, Kim Kyung-tae lost 3 and 2 to Australian Jason Day in a day of upsets which included defeats to former world number one Tiger Woods and Poulter.
