Japan’s Yosuke Asaji claims Moutai Singapore Open title with play-off victory

SINGAPORE – Heading back to the 18th tee box for a play-off on Nov 9, Yosuke Asaji felt no nerves, his focus only on his tee shot.

It was a high-stakes moment – a play-off to decide the Moutai Singapore Open champion – with the Japanese golfer (67) and South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun (68) tied at 19-under 269 after regulation play at the Singapore Island Country Club’s New Course.

But Asaji remained composed and delivered, carding a birdie on the first play-off hole to seal the title and pocket the winner’s cheque of US$360,000 (S$468,400) at the International Series event, a set of elevated tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

The 32-year-old said: “I am so, so happy. Today I was able to read the lines on the greens well – it was perfect.

“This win means so much to me. It is my first win overseas, something I have always dreamed of.”

In the play-off on the 619-yard par-five 18th, Asaji opted for a more conservative strategy compared to Wang’s aggressive approach.

The 30-year-old South Korean attempted to reach the green in two, but saw his ball splash into the water hazard to the left.

Meanwhile, Asaji played it safe, laying up before finding the green in three, with his wedge approach settling about six feet from the pin.

Asaji, who was runner-up at the International Series Philippines in October, made no mistake from there, sinking the birdie putt, while Wang carded a bogey.

“I didn’t think that I would be sitting here with the trophy today,” said the world No. 405, who needed just 27 putts in the final round.

“Same as the International Series Philippines, my putting was really good and that was key to my success this week.”

The win moves Asaji up to second on the International Series rankings, putting him in contention for one of the two spots available for the 2026 LIV Golf season with one event – the Nov 19-22 PIF International in Saudi Arabia – remaining.

Surprised when told that he had climbed to second, he said: “I didn’t think I would win but with the win, I’m almost at the top. Since I’m here, I’m going to aim for the LIV Golf spot.”

Asaji, who also has a victory on the Japan Tour in May after winning The Crowns, began the final round tied-fourth after a flawless 65 on Nov 8 brought him to 14-under 202, a stroke behind the leading trio of Wang, James Piot and Lee Soo-min.

But he quickly took a share of the lead with Wang and Lee after a birdie on hole No. 2, then became the sole leader with another birdie on the third hole, before stringing birdies in the next three holes.

Although Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan and Lee briefly caught up, Asaji regained the outright lead with a birdie on the par-five 12th, a position he held until the final hole, before regulation play ended with a dramatic finish.

Playing in the penultimate group, Asaji parred the par-four 17th before draining a 10-foot birdie putt on the last hole to post five-under 67 and set the clubhouse target at 19-under 269.

But Wang, who was in the final group, forced a play-off after two birdies in the last two holes brought him level with Asaji.

Wang, who last won in 2017, was still encouraged by his performance.

The world No. 547 said: “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 play-off, but that’s okay.

“I actually knew before putting on 18 that I needed to make that one to get into the play-off, so when it dropped, I felt really confident and excited heading into the extra holes.

“Overall, I played really well this week. It just came down to a bit of bad luck in the play-off – I hit a great tee shot that landed on a downslope and ended up short, and then I caught the next shot slightly on the heel. But I’m happy with my game and just need a bit more luck next time.”

Meanwhile, Singaporean amateurs Brayden Lee (72) and Troy Storm (73) finished tied-50th and joint-63rd after carding six-under 282 and two-under 286 totals respectively.