<figure id="attachment_3204791" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3204791" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3204791" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/b1de63c1-8671627.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3204791" class="wp-caption-text">Japan&#8217;s Yosuke Asaji said he had always dreamt of his first overseas win. (EPA Images pic)</figcaption></figure>
SINGAPORE: Yosuke Asaji sank a six-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday to become the first player from Japan to win the Singapore Open since 1976.
Asaji edged out Wang Jeung-hun on the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club after his South Korean opponent found water with his second shot and ended with a bogey six.
Both had finished on 19-under par after Wang forced the playoff with a dramatic, snaking 12-foot birdie putt at the final hole.
Thailand&#8217;s Rattanon Wannasrichan and South Korea&#8217;s Lee Soo-min tied for third, one shot back.
&#8220;I am so, so happy. Today I was able to read the lines on the greens well, it was perfect,&#8221; said the 32-year-old Asaji.
&#8220;This win means so much to me. It is my first win overseas, something I have always dreamed of,&#8221; he added after victory in the penultimate tournament in the of elevated events on the Asian Tour.
Asaji got off to a flying start Sunday with five birdies in succession from the second to grab a share of the early lead which he would not relinquish on his way to a round of five-under 67.
Asaji becomes the sixth golfer from Japan to lift the historic Singapore Open trophy in the tournament&#8217;s 64-year history, but the first since Kesahiko Uchida 49 years ago.
The in-form Asaji, who finished tied second in the Philippines a fortnight ago, has shot to second on the International Series standings behind Zimbabwe&#8217;s Scott Vincent, with the top two securing a place in the money-spinning LIV Golf League for 2026.
The final event of the 2025 series is the US$5 million Saudi International in Riyadh beginning on November 19.

MatchPoint Times

Asaji becomes first Japanese in 49 years to win Singapore Open

Yosuke Asaji sank a six-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to become the first player from Japan to win the tournament since 1976.

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