"You enhanced our people's morale by winning the major title for the first time as an Asian."

AP's Kwang-Tae Kim tracks down Y.E. Yang's family and reports that the president called Yang. Photos are posted with the story showing billboard photos that have already been erected.

Golf is huge in South Korea, which in recent years has produced a number of top female players. But the top ranks had until now evaded Asia's men.

Even South Korea's president, Lee Myung-bak, watched the tournament live on TV. He later phoned Yang to offer his congratulations.

"I woke up at dawn today to watch the broadcast, and you played in a calm manner," Lee told Yang, according to the president's office. "First of all, you enhanced our people's morale by winning the major title for the first time as an Asian."