Japan’s Asaji a playoff winner in Singapore
JAPAN’S Yosuke Asaji captured the Moutai Singapore Open title in dramatic fashion, defeating Korea’s Jeunghun Wang in a sudden-death play-off, while Kevin Yuan led the Australian contingent at the event played at the New Course at The Singapore Island Country Club.
Asaji became the first Japanese winner of the tournament in nearly 50 years after rolling in a six-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th at the first extra hole in confirming the win in the Asian Tour-International Series event.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan and Korea’s Soomin Lee finished one shot back of the leading pair on 18-under par in third place after a keenly contested final round.
Yuan, a 28-year-old from Sydney, was in a group of players tied for sixth on 15-under for the tournament.
The victory continued a standout season for Asaji, who also claimed The Crowns tournament in Japan earlier this year and finished runner-up at the International Series Philippines two weeks ago.
“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 in close on the play-off hole.
“This win means so much to me. It is my first win overseas – something I have always dreamed of.”
Starting the day one shot off the lead, Asaji made a blistering run of five consecutive birdies from the second hole to take control.
Beginning his final round in almost the opposite fashion to Asaji, Yuan made bogies on both the first and second holes, before recovering with birdies on the third and eighth to go out in even par. After a stumbling somewhat with another bogey on 10, Yuan regrouped in shooting three-under par coming in, including birdies on each of his closing two holes for a round of 70.
The tie for sixth was worth US$57,500 for Yuan, who moved to 15th on the Asian Tour Order or Merit and to 21st on the International Series Points List.
Of the other Australians, veteran Scott Hend was next best, rounds on 67-68 on Saturday and Sunday seeing him finish in a tie for 11th.
Young Queensland amateur Harry Takis continued to display his obvious potential with a 72-hole total of 10-under par to finish in a group tied 30th, while Marcus Fraser (4-under) and Travis Smyth (3-under) were the only other Australians, from the 15 who teed it up on Thursday, to play on the weekend.
Wade Ormsby, who entered the week with ambitions of improving his position on the International Series points race, missed the 36-hole cut by one stroke, while with the victory, Asaji moved to second behind Scott Vincent on the International Series points list.
The leading two players on the International Series list earn LIV Golf Leagues contracts for 2026. Ormsby is currently sixth with one event remaining.
The Asian Tour now moves to the Middle East for the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, held at Riyadh Golf Club in two weeks’ time. The US $5 million event serves as the final stop on The International Series.
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