Yosuke Asaji becomes Japan’s first Singapore Open champion in 49 years
Asaji beats South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun in sudden-death play-off after dramatic finish at Singapore Island Country Club
Yosuke Asaji became the first player from Japan to win the Moutai Singapore Open in nearly 50 years as he beat South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off on Sunday.
Asaji made a birdie putt from six feet in the play-off, on the par-five 18th on the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club, after Wang found water with his second and ended with a six.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Korean Lee Soo-min (69) tied for third, one shot back, in the penultimate event of the season on the International Series – the set of upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League.
It came after a dramatic finish in regulation play when Asaji, playing in the penultimate group, brilliantly made a difficult birdie putt from 10 feet on the last to set the mark in the clubhouse on 19 under. He carded a five-under-par 67.
Soon after, Wang, playing in the final group, faced an almost identical putt and remarkably also drained it for a 68, to force the play-off.
The win means Asaji has moved to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and second on the International Series Rankings.