Ajeetesh Sandhu Finishes Tied-37 as Japan’s Yosuke Asaji Clinches Singapore Open Title

Singapore — Japan’s Yosuke Asaji made history on Sunday by becoming the first Japanese golfer in nearly five decades to win the Moutai Singapore Open, defeating Korea’s Jeunghun Wang on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off at the USD 2 million tournament.

India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu wrapped up his campaign with a tied-37 finish, posting a nine-under-par total of 279 after carding a two-under 70 in the final round.

In a tense finish, Asaji birdied from six feet on the par-five 18th hole of the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club, after Wang found the water with his second shot and ended up with a bogey six.

Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Korea’s Soomin Lee (69) shared third place, just one shot behind the leaders, in what was the penultimate event of the season on The International Series — a set of elevated Asian Tour tournaments offering a route into the LIV Golf League.

The finale produced high drama as Asaji, playing in the penultimate group, holed a 10-foot breaking birdie putt on the final green to reach 19-under-par (67) and set the clubhouse target. Moments later, Wang matched that total with a birdie of his own, forcing the play-off.

With the victory, Asaji moved to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and second on The International Series Rankings. His triumph continues a strong season, having earlier captured The Crowns tournament in Japan and finished runner-up at the International Series Philippines two weeks ago.

“I’m so, so happy,” said the 32-year-old. “Today, I was able to read the greens perfectly. The par putt on the 15th was the key moment. This win means a lot — it’s my first victory overseas, something I’ve always dreamed of.”

Asaji began the day one shot off the lead but surged ahead with five consecutive birdies from the second hole. Though briefly tied at the top with Rattanon and Soomin Lee, a clutch par save on the 15th and a steady finish ensured he remained in contention before sealing the win in extra holes.

With the triumph, Asaji became only the sixth Japanese golfer ever to win the Singapore Open — and the first since Kesahiko Uchida in 1976, when the event was last held at the same venue.

Wang, chasing his first victory in eight years, said he was pleased despite the narrow defeat. “I’m happy with how I played — just a bit unlucky in the play-off,” he said. “I knew I had to make that putt on 18 to force extra holes, and I did. My game feels good; I just need a bit more luck next time.”

Korea’s Bio Kim shot a final-round 70 to finish solo fifth, four shots behind the playoff contenders.

The Asian Tour now heads to the Middle East for the PIF Saudi International, powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, scheduled at Riyadh Golf Club in two weeks’ time. The USD 5 million event is both the richest tournament of the season and the final International Series event of the year.

With inputs from IANS