Japan’s Yosuke Asaji ended a near 50-year wait for his country by winning the Moutai Singapore Open, beating Korea’s Jeunghun Wang on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff at Singapore Island Country Club. Asaji birdied the par-five 18th after Wang found water and made bogey.
Both had finished regulation play on 19-under after draining matching 10-foot birdie putts on the last. Asaji closed with a five-under 67, while Wang shot 68. Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan and Korea’s Soomin Lee tied for third, one shot back, in the penultimate event of The International Series.
The 32-year-old Asaji, who claimed Japan’s prestigious The Crowns in May and was runner-up in the International Series Philippines recently, said: “I’m so happy. It’s my first win overseas — something I’ve always dreamed of.” The victory moved him to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and second on The International Series Rankings.
Wang, seeking his first win in eight years, said he was pleased with his overall performance despite the playoff setback. “I finished strong and made great putts on 17 and 18 — just unlucky in the playoff,” he said. The Asian Tour now moves to Riyadh for the US$5 million PIF Saudi International, the season’s most lucrative event.
