Kennedy stays close to Ikeura

Brad Kennedy remains firmly in contention for the inaugural ASO Iizuka Challenged Golf Tournament in Fukuoka after signing for a successive six-under-par 66 on Friday.

The 47-year-old Australian, who is chasing his fourth JGTO title, reached the halfway stage at the ASO Iizuka Golf Club on 12-under 132, just one shot off second round leader Tomoyo Ikeura, who signed for a 68.

Thai player Thanyakon Khrongpha impressed too after carding a bogey-free 67 to be tied for sixth. Fellow international competitor, Hyun Woo Ryu of South Korea, returned with a 70 to take a share of 11th place.

Kennedy backed up his solid opening day effort with six birdies in her second round, including three on the trot from the get-go.

He then reeled off nine straight pars before gaining his next stroke on 13 before rounding off his day with glorious back-to-back birdies at the final two holes.

“It was a great start. I birdied one, two and three, but in the middle of the round, it went a little bit flat, but it wasn’t from the lack of trying,” said Kennedy, whose last triumph came at the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGA SAMMY Cup in 2018.

“Just a few tricky pins, a few holes that you have to make sure you do the right things from the fourth hole all the way to the 12th. 

“I hit a poor third shot on 12 as I was trying to make a birdie there, but then I managed to make up for it on 13. It was a nice strong birdie. I got up-and-down from the bunker on 14 for par and managed to birdie 17 and 18, which is a great way to finish off the day.

“I’ve been hitting a lot of good shots, just not quite get it close enough. Sometimes, that’s what happens. I still try to make as many birdies as I can.

“It’s nice to have another two good days and prepare for the weekend.” 

Being in contention at the weekend for the third time in his last four starts, Kennedy knows he cannot afford to get ahead of himself if he is to stand a chance of hoisting the trophy on Sunday.

Kennedy could only settle for solo third and joint-fourth at the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament and Mizuno Open, although he headed into the final round, tying for second in both tournaments.

Asked if he feels he is getting closer to his first victory in four years, said Kennedy: “It’s always a good being in contention, and it means I’m doing a lot of really good works.

“I can’t control what anybody else is doing. I can only do what I can and put myself in that position in the back nine on Sunday.

“I hope I can play well under pressure and be there at the end.”

Thanyakhon is ready to build on his tied-fifth finish at the Mizuno Open after reaping the rewards from a change in putting style recently.

“The putter was good today. I’m glad I got a lot of birdies. I changed to cross-handed putting three weeks ago, and it worked to my advantage today,” said Thanyakhon.