Asaji aiming for LIV spot after S'pore Open victory

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

- Kimberly Kwek Sports Correspondent

It was a high-stakes moment - a playoff 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 playoff 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 playoff 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.