Singapore: Asian golf uncovered a new star in 2010 with teen sensation Noh Seung-Yul winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit race as a battle between rival tours raged on.Noh became the youngest player ever to top the money list after bursting onto the scene by winning the European Tour co-sanctioned Malaysian Open in March, while China's Liang Wenchong won the OneAsia Tour merit crown.
"I was happy to win the Malaysian Open this year. It allowed me to compete in Europe, the US and also the three Majors," said the 19-year-old.
"It started from my win in Malaysia. The event was good for me," added Noh, rookie of the year in 2008.
Australia's Marcus Fraser, who won the Ballantines Championship in South Korea in April, came second in the merit standings and said the Tour was fortunate to have a player of Noh's calibre.
"Everyone knew it was going to happen. Noh Seung-Yul was always going to fly away with the Order of Merit title," he said.
"He's a great player. The Asian Tour is lucky to have him on the money list."
In an open year, the only golfer to win more than once on the Asian Tour was Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Myanamar Open and Queens Cup) while Siddikur became the first Bangladeshi to lift a trophy by claiming the Brunei Open.
Ian Poulter claimed the Hong Kong Open title while Adam Scott scored an unprecedented third victory at the Singapore Open.
The Asian Tour, meanwhile, set a new landmark by co-hosting a US PGA Tour event for the first time, with American Ben Crane holing a pressure-packed birdie at the last to lift the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic by a stroke.
"With such tremendous growth for golf in the region, the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic provided an exciting presence for the PGA Tour in Malaysia and Southeast Asia," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.
A new 12-year television and production and global distribution deal was struck by the Asian Tour which players expect will attract more sponsors.
Three-time Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee, by far the most successful golfer in the region, said the agreement would reap benefits.
"It could be really big for the Asian Tour," he said.
But undercurrents continued to run, with the Asian Tour and OneAsia Tour remaining at loggerheads.
OneAsia, which has brought together tours from China, South Korea and Australia, hosted 10 events, branching out into India and Thailand.
It plans at least 13 in 2011 while the Asian Tour has announced a provisional 25-tournament schedule.
To counter any exodus, the Asian Tour rigorously enforced regulations that players who do compete on OneAsia without prior permission were fined 5,000 US dollars, with the threat of suspension hanging over them.
Few made the jump.
It was a sometimes rocky year for OneAsia which narrowly averted a boycott by South Korean players in April.
They cited discontent at the number of places available to Koreans at the Maekyung Open, the SK Telecom Open and the Korea Open but the issue was resolved when they were given reassurances.
Liang has been a firm supporter of OneAsia and topped their money list.
"I am very happy and honoured. This is something that China supports and that gives me even more pride to take this trophy home," he said.
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