Yosuke Asaji has secured a historic victory at the Moutai Singapore Open by defeating Jeunghun Wang on the first playoff hole at the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club. The tournament is part of the International Series of the Asian Tour. The Japanese player made a birdie from one and a half metres on the 18th (par 5) after seeing the Korean player hit the water with his second shot and finish with six. Before that, both had finished with -19 overall (67+70+65+67 Asaji; 64+70+67+68 Wang) to force the playoff.
The final day was a rollercoaster of emotions. Asaji, in the penultimate group, set the score to beat with a three-metre birdie, breaking from left to right, on the 18th for -19. Wang, in the final group, mirrored the line… and also holed it to meet him in the playoff. In the podium distribution, just one stroke behind, were Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Soomin Lee (69), after a thrilling final day where the Thai and Korean players pushed until the end.
Asaji’s triumph is no surprise. He won The Crowns in May, was 2nd in the International Series Philippines and now makes a sensational leap in the two Asian Tour rankings: 5th in the Order of Merit and 2nd in the International Series, the qualifying route to LIV Golf. “I am extremely happy. Today I read the breaks very well. The par on the 15th was the most important putt of the day,” explained the Japanese player, who also highlighted that it is his first international title outside Japan. A dream come true.
The only Spanish player in the tournament
Eduard Rousaud was the only Spanish representative in this edition. The Barcelona native did not make the cut after scoring 73 and 78 strokes (+7, 151) in the first two rounds.
Sunday’s highlights
– Blistering start by Asaji: five consecutive birdies from the 2nd to the 6th to take the lead.
– Turning point on the 12th: birdie to regain the lead at -19 with Rattanon and Soomin in pursuit.
– Rescue on the 15th: three-metre par putt to stay ahead.
– Final drama: Rattanon makes birdie on the 18th for -18; Wang ties with Asaji with a birdie on the 17th and repeats on the 18th for the ‘playoff’.
– Conclusion: Wang hits water on the extra hole; fine wedge and birdie by Asaji to close the circle… First Japanese winner of the tournament in almost 50 years (not since Kesahiko Uchida, 1976).
What’s next
The Asian Tour heads to the Middle East to compete, in two weeks, at the PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club, a 5 million dollar tournament, the last stop of The International Series and the penultimate of the Asian Tour calendar. Here, the two qualifying spots for LIV Golf will be decided, reserved for the top two in the International Series ranking not already in LIV. Currently, with the tournament in Saudi Arabia in two weeks, those qualified for LIV are Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji.
