Choi denied by one shot after young pretender clinches win

Aged just 18 years and nine months, Noh birdied the final hole to card a final-round four-under-par 68 and top the leaderboard at 14 under – despite playing the exquisite chip which set up the two-foot conversion from the edge of the practice putting green behind a hospitality marquee.

With Noh holding a one-shot lead but actually playing from the 10th fairway following a wayward final drive, 39-year-old Choi had set the clubhouse lead after a three-under 69 with a four-foot birdie putt after letting slip a one-shot lead following a bogey on the penultimate green.

The only younger player to have won on the circuit was Korean-born New Zealand amateur Danny Lee at last year's Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia. He was 18 years six months at the time. Noh was playing his 13th European Tour event.

The title came with a cheque for 220,000 and gives Noh, already an Asian Tour winner at the 2008 Midea China Classic, a two-year European exemption.

"It is more special than my first win after competing with some of the best players in the world. And beating someone I have looked up to in KJ makes it more special," said 2008 Midea China Classic champion Noh.

"KJ has been a role model for me. I have been looking up to KJ since I was in junior. He has given me a lot of advice and that will help me on the world stage."

Choi, who last won in Malaysia in October, held a one-shot lead at the midway point of the final round after chipping in on the ninth green but was ultimately made to pay for a wayward tee shot on the 17th.

"I'm not disappointed at all. I played well and tried my best. My hat's off to Seung-yul, he played well and had a fantastic round," said the world No 96.

"He is one of the most powerful young talents coming up. The way that he controls and hits the ball is like no other and I think he has a very bright future.

"I feel like he is going to develop in all aspects and in the near future he is going to be on the world stage."

Joint overnight leaders Rhys Davies (71) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (71) and Soren Hansen (70) all missed lengthy birdie putts at the last to finish tied for third at 12-under-par.

Rotherham's Danny Willett posted a second consecutive 68 over the weekend to claim sixth, a further shot off the pace, while Swede Johan Edfors (71) and Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee (71) finished tied for seventh at 10-under-par.