Yang overcomes 10-shot deficit to win Korea Open

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CHEONAN, South Korea (AP) -- Y.E. Yang, the 2009 PGA champion, shot a 5-under 66 on Sunday to complete a stunning comeback and win the Korea Open.

Yang, who started the final round 10 shots behind second- and third-round leader Noh Seung-yul, won the tournament by two strokes over fellow South Koreans Choi Ho-sung and Kim Bi-o.

South Korean teenager Noh imploded with a final-round 8-over 79 and finished in a tie for fourth with Choi Jin-ho, three shots back.

The victory earned Yang 300 million won ($267,500). The tournament carried a total purse of 1 billion won.

"To come back from the brink of worrying about missing the cut and win is just great," said Yang, who made headlines by defeating Tiger Woods at last year's PGA Championship. "For me, this tournament has been defined by patience, perseverance and a lot of luck.

"It has given me back a lot of confidence after the last few months, as I've been struggling a bit with my timing."

Yang carded six birdies and an eagle on the final day to finish the tournament on 4-under par.

Noh, 19, received some encouraging words from Yang after his disastrous final round, which included six bogeys and two double-bogeys.

"He has so much ahead of him," Yang said. "To have that swing and that game at 19 is amazing. He's so far ahead of where I was at that age. His talent is incredible."

South Koreans, including amateur Han Chang-won, were the top six finishers in the tournament.

The top foreign golfers were New Zealander Danny Lee and Australian Ryan Haller, who ended in a four-way tie for seventh at 1-over 285 with South Koreans Kim Dae-hyun and Bae Sang-moon.