Chinese-Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan gained redemption at the $1-million SJM Macao Open, defeating Korean star Sungjae Im in a playoff to claim his first Asian Tour title at Macau Golf & Country Club.
The 27-year-old Wang overcame the disappointment of losing last year’s tournament in extra holes with a clutch eagle on the 18th hole in regulation to take a one-shot lead at 17-under par. Im responded with a birdie to force a play-off, but Wang birdied the first extra hole to secure the victory.
Wang made the most of the three par-5 holes on the back nine, picking up birdies on the 12th and 13th before producing the decisive eagle on the 18th. Im moved ahead with a birdie on the 15th but gave back the advantage on the next hole before birdieing the final two holes to match Wang’s total.
The victory erased memories of Wang’s near-miss in 2025, when he tied with Germany’s Dominic Foos before losing on the second extra hole.
“After I chipped in on the 18th and then went to the scoring and then came back for the play-off, I could only think of last year,” Wang said. “I’m very happy that I could get the job this time and win, and I’m really happy that I could do it in front of my wife and family.”
Wang dedicated the victory to his mother and credited his caddie, Ray, for helping him assess the green before his decisive chip-in.
“Ray confirmed that it was flat all the way to the hole. I executed exactly how I wanted it, and just let the ball roll into the hole,” he said.
American Charles Porter delivered the tournament’s lowest round, a nine-under-par 61, to finish alone in third place at 14-under. Despite battling illness throughout the week, Porter produced four birdies in his first six holes before adding three more from the 12th and closing with an eagle on the 18th.
His round included two chip-in birdies early and a 390-yard drive on the final hole that set up his eagle. However, the late charge fell three shots short of forcing his way into the play-off.
“Physically and mentally, this week has been a complete grind, and I felt terrible, to be honest,” Porter said. “So, to shoot 61 out of nowhere and make a couple chip-ins in the first five holes was unexpected, but that’s how golf is sometimes.”
Porter’s compatriot Austen Truslow carded a 64 to finish fourth at 13-under, while China’s Wu Ashun and Thailand’s Danthai Boonma shared fifth place after matching rounds of 65. Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (65) and Pavit Tangkamolprasert (68) tied for seventh at 12-under.
The Asian Tour moves to Hong Kong next week for the $2-million Link Hong Kong Open.
