Seung-Yul Noh making a name for himself led in first round of Deutshe Bank Championship

Not many people followed Seung-Yul Noh yesterday in the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, and a few who watched him play didn’t even know his name.

“Some people,” Noh said, “say Kevin Na, like, ‘Go Kevin.’ ”

But he’s Noh, not Na.

Noh and Na are both from Seoul, South Korea, but Noh is a 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie. Na is a 28-year-old PGA Tour veteran.

The most important difference between the two yesterday was that Noh fired a 9-under 62 to lead the tournament by a shot over Chris Kirk and two over boyhood idol Tiger Woods, playing partner Ryan Moore and Jeff Overton. Na shot a 2-under 69.

Noh earned his PGA Tour card by tying for third in qualifying school last December, and his best finish this year was a tie for fourth in July in the AT&T National, a tournament Woods won. He has had three top-10 finishes and earned $1.375 million this year.

Noh played a practice round at the TPC Boston Wednesday, but yesterday was his first competitive round on the course, and he came within a shot of the course record.

It was his lowest round since he opened the 2009 Malaysian Open with a 10-under 62. He ended up tied for 11th at 12 under. Noh said he’s shooting for a top-five finish this week to help him advance in the FedExCup playoffs. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Noh entered this week ranked 54th…

via Seung-Yul Noh making a name for himself – Worcester Telegram & Gazette – telegram.com.