Singapore: Yosuke Asaji became the first player from Japan to win the Moutai Singapore Open in nearly 50 years, beating Korean Wang Jeung-hun on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.

Asaji made a birdie putt from six feet in the play-off on the par-five 18th on the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), after Wang found water with his second and ended with a six.

Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Korean Lee Soo-min (69) tied for third, one shot back, in the penultimate event of the season on The International Series – the set of upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League.

Extra-time was needed after a dramatic finish in regulation play when Asaji, playing in the penultimate group, brilliantly made a difficult left-to-right breaking birdie putt from 10 feet on the last to set the mark in the clubhouse on 19-under. He carded a five-under-par 67.

Soon after, Wang, playing in the final group, faced an almost identical putt and also drained it for a 68, to force the play-off.

The win means Asaji has moved to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and second on The International Series Rankings.

Asaji’s game has been in the ascendency this year. In May he claimed The Crowns tournament, one of the biggest events in Japan, and he tied second in the International Series Philippines two weeks ago.

“I am 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 approach wedge on the play-off hole. “I think the putt for par on 15 was the most important one. This win means so much to me. It is my first win overseas – something I have always dreamed of.”

One shot off the pace at the start of the final round, Asaji raced out of the blocks, making five birdies in succession from the second, which saw him seize the lead. But after 11 holes he was tied with Rattanon – who made six straight birdies from the sixth – and Lee on 18-under.

However, a birdie on 12 saw Asaji move one ahead before he made a crucial 10-foot par putt on 15 to stay in front. He missed a putt from a similar length for par on the next hole but that was shortly after Rattanon bogeyed the 17th, meaning Asaji led by one with two to play from Rattanon, Lee and Wang.

Rattanon then got back into contention by making birdie on the last to draw level with Asaji. With Wang making birdie on 17 to catch them both it set the set the scene for that gripping finish on 18.

Asaji becomes the sixth golfer from Japan to raise the Singapore Open trophy but the first since Kesahiko Uchida in 1976, when the event was also played at SICC.

Attempting to win for the first time in eight years, Wang was heartened by his performance. He said: “I finished strong on 17 and 18 and made a great putt on the last hole. I’m really happy with how I played – just a little disappointed about the play-off, but that’s okay. I knew before putting on 18 that I needed to make that one to get into the play-off. When it dropped, I felt really confident and excited heading into the extra holes.

“Overall, I played really well this week. It just came down to a bit of bad luck in the play-off. I hit a great tee shot that landed on a downslope and ended up short, and then I caught the next shot slightly on the heel.”

Wang was Rookie of the Year on the European Tour in 2016, helped by winning the Trophée Hassan II and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open – an event joint sanctioned with the Asian Tour. The following year he claimed the Qatar Masters, for a third title in Europe.

Not long after, he went for national service in Korea for nearly two years but after today’s performance it’s clear he’s close to getting back to his best.

The Asian Tour heads to the Middle East in two weeks for the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Riyadh Golf Club. With a purse of US$5 million it’s the most lucrative tournament of the season, the final date of the year on The International Series and the penultimate event on the Asian Tour.

*Singapore Island Country Club is a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.