Kennedy's ready to restore glory in Japan 

With the world opening up, Australia's Brad Kennedy is also ready to travel back and forth to Japan regularly once again to make up for lost time over the last two years.

The 47-year-old's sentiment is easy to understand after having his career progress on the JGTO stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since making his JGTO debut in 2011, Kennedy has built quite an impressive CV. He won three times, with his last triumph coming at the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGA SAMMY Cup in 2018.

Even when he was not hoisting trophies, the Aussie would make sure he finished in commendable positions on several occasions during the season.

Kennedy has registered at least one top-three result for each season from 2011 to 2019. Just before the pandemic struck, he also finished second in the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

He returned to Japan following a 15-month hiatus in April last year and played seven tournaments. Although he did come in tied 14th at the Gate Way to The Open Mizuno Open, he missed three cuts out of the other six tournaments.

After flying out of Japan to play in the US Open and The Open, Kennedy did not see action for the second half of the season due to the travel restrictions.

"It's nice to be back in Japan," said Kennedy, after adding a solid four-under-par 67 to his opening 66 to reach the halfway stage of the ISPS HANDA Championship in Japan in a share of 18th spot.

"Travel has become a lot easier, and things are getting a little back to normal, which is great because I love coming back to Japan.

"I missed coming back here, and it's great to start playing again," said Kennedy.

This week marked Kennedy's only second start for the year following last week's Kansai Open Golf Championship, where he came in joint 19th.

Having put two decent rounds together, Kennedy certainly looks ready to roll back the good times again as he heads into the weekend.

But first, Kennedy pointed out that he must make the most of the ideal scoring course - something he failed to capitalise on today.

Kennedy was left rueing after squandering several scoring opportunities, which saw him making the turn at one-over 36. He then bounced back strongly to card a four-under courtesy of five birdies, including a hat-trick of gains from the first hole.

"It was a round of two halves. On the back nine (he started from the 10th tee), I played really nicely but didn't make any putt. I missed about four, so it's very frustrating," he lamented.

"I continued to strike the ball and made three birdies in a row from the first to the third hole.

That sort of gave me a little comfort. But not getting anything out of the first nine was quite frustrating.

"This course gives you a lot of opportunities. I have been driving the ball really nicely, missing just two fairways today. The par-three is difficult, but there are also lots of chances on the par-five. You can get to the green in two and get up and down.

"I think if I can double up on what I am now, I stand a good chance this week," said Kennedy.