Jesper Svensson

Svensson secures breaththrough win in Singapore

Jesper Svensson won his first DP World Tour title with a play-off victory over Kiradech Aphibarnrat at the Porsche Singapore Classic.

The Swede matched the course record with a closing 63 at Laguna National Golf Resort Club to get to 17 under, but extra holes were required as Aphibarnrat eagled the last in a stunning finish to a round of 64.

Both men made birdie on the first trip up the last and then exchanged a pair of pars before Aphibarnrat went over the back and made a bogey, leaving Svensson two putts for par and his maiden victory.

The 28-year-old made his breakthrough last year with his victory at the B-NL Challenge Trophy on the Challenge Tour before securing playing privileges via the Road to Mallorca rankings. He has already finished runner-up twice this season – at the South African Open and the Bahrain Championship – and has now entered the winner’s circle on only his 14th appearance.

BLISTERING START

Svensson began the day five shots off the lead, but got off to a blistering start, making birdies on the first and second and adding an eagle on the par five third. Further birdies arrived at the sixth and eighth, but he dropped a shot either side of the turn to remain in a congested pack. However, he went on a stunning birdie-birdie-eagle run from the 12th to storm ahead and despite dropping a shot at the 15th, finished birdie-birdie to finalise a brilliant 63.

Aphibarnrat’s second place is his best finish since the 2021 BMW PGA Championship, with rookie Sam Bairstow securing his best finish to date in third on 16 under. Countryman Andy Sullivan finished fourth on 15 under, with France’s Matthieu Pavon fifth on 14 under.

Svensson said: “There’s been a lot of good golf this season, so it’s nice to finally come out on top. It’s always been a dream to be a winner on the DP World Tour and it feels amazing.”