Bring on the wind, says Kennedy

Australian golfer Brad Kennedy is unfazed by the prospect of the winds continuing to wreak havoc over the weekend at the Gateway Open to The Open Mizuno Open.

Kennedy, 47, handled the blustery conditions well by trading four birdies against two bogeys for a two-under-par 70 to stay in the mix at the JFE Setonaikai Golf Club on Friday.

Kennedy reached the 36-hole mark in a tie for fourth place at seven-under-par 137, just two shots behind his compatriot Anthony Quayle who is tied for the lead with Japan’s Ryuichi Oiwa.

"The wind was up today, so it was a tough day out there. I just had to stay patient," said the three-time JGTO winner but not since 2018.

"I love playing in the wind as you have to be creative with your shots and ball control."

Following an opening 67, Kennedy enjoyed a solid start in the second round by making birdies on holes 15 and 18. 

Two bogeys on the third and fifth holes brought him back to even par, but Kennedy proved just why he is one of the in-form players on Tour at the moment by responding strongly with back-to-back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes.

"I made some nice two-putt par saves on 11, 12, 14, then a great birdie on 15 and 18. I bogeyed three and five but made two nice birdies on six and seven," recapped Kennedy, who has now finished with under-par scores and no worse than a top-five in the last six rounds of golf.

"I’m in a good position going into the weekend, and I just need to keep the mindset I currently have and enjoy the challenge," said the Australian.