Yosuke Asaji became the first player from Japan to win the Moutai Singapore Open in nearly 50 years today, Nov. 9, after edging Korea’s Jeunghun Wang on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. Asaji made a birdie from six feet on the par-five 18th at the Singapore Island Country Club after Wang found water with his second shot and finished with a six.

Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Korean Soomin Lee (69) tied for third, one shot back, in the penultimate event of the season on The International Series — a set of upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway to the LIV Golf League.

Dramatic finish in regulation play

Asaji, playing in the penultimate group, sank a difficult 10-foot birdie putt on the last to set the clubhouse mark at 19-under with a five-under-par 67. Wang, in the final group, matched him with an identical putt for a 68, forcing the playoff.

The victory moves Asaji to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and second on The International Series Rankings. His performance this year has been strong, including a May win at The Crowns in Japan and a tie for second in the International Series Philippines two weeks ago.

Asaji reflects on historic win

“I am so, so happy. Today I was able to read the lines on the greens well, it was perfect,” said the 32-year-old, who hit a fine wedge close on the playoff hole. “I think the putt for par on 15 was the most important one. This win means so much to me. It is my first win overseas — something I have always dreamed of.”

He started the day one off the pace and made five consecutive birdies from the second, seizing the lead. After 11 holes, he was tied with Rattanon — who made six straight birdies from the sixth — and Soomin Lee at 18-under. A birdie on 12 and a crucial par putt on 15 kept him in front.

Rattanon caught up with a birdie on the last hole, while Wang birdied the 17th, setting the stage for the playoff on 18. Asaji becomes the sixth Japanese golfer to lift the trophy, the first since Kesahiko Uchida in 1976 when the event was also held at SICC.

Wang remains optimistic despite playoff loss

Wang, attempting his first win in eight years, praised his performance. “I finished strong on 17 and 18 and made a great putt on the last hole, so I’m really happy with how I played today — just a little disappointed about the playoff,” he said. “It came down to a bit of bad luck. I hit a great tee shot that landed on a downslope and ended up short, then caught the next shot slightly on the heel. But overall, I’m happy with my game and just need a bit more luck next time.”

Wang was Rookie of the Year on the European Tour in 2016, winning the Trophée Hassan II and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. The following year, he also won the Qatar Masters before serving nearly two years for national service in Korea.

Korea’s Bio Kim finished in solo fifth with a 70, four shots off the playoff.

The Asian Tour now heads to the Middle East in two weeks for the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Riyadh Golf Club. The US$5 million event is the final tournament of the year on The International Series and the penultimate event on the Asian Tour.