Kennedy returns to familiar winning ground

Australia’s Brad Kennedy returns to Japan after two months with the same hunger where he is ready to challenge for more glory at the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup.

The Australian veteran is just three shots off the pace after he posted an opening three-under-par 69 to end the first day in tied-ninth position at the North Country Golf Club.

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya took the day’s opening honours after he opened with a 66 to take pole position.

Playing in his first JGTO event since finishing tied second in the ASO Iizuka Challenged Golf Tournament in June, the Australian mixed five birdies, including two picked up at the last two holes, with two bogeys to be well-placed to challenge for his second victory in the event.

Kennedy had won his third JGTO title at the 2018 edition, which also marked the last time he tasted success in Japan. The 48-year-old has been showing his growing desire to return to the winners' circle again with a series of impressive results that saw him claim three top four results in his last four starts.

Kennedy also took his fantastic scoring form to 51-under over the last 17 rounds of golf since the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament in May.

"After a birdie on the first, I bogeyed the second but then played well to birdie on sixth and ninth to turn in two-under," said Kennedy.

"The breeze made it tricky, coupled with the soft greens. It was tough to get it close today. I bogeyed the 12th hole and then hit a great shot into 15, I parred 16 and then finished with birdies on 17 and 18 which was nice. 

"The greens were surprisingly quick today. I had a few putts which just went straight through the break. But all in all, it was a solid day and great to be back in Japan. I love this course and feel like I’m able to really be aggressive and take it on."

Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines was the other international player who got off to a solid start with 70.

Pagunsan, who was the runner-up to Ryo Ishikawa in 2019, staged a remarkable comeback after going two-over through his opening eight holes with bogeys on the 11th and 17th holes (he started from the 10th tee).

He responded with four birdies on holes 18, three, five and six to finish in a share of 16th place, four shots behind Kanaya.

"I did not start well, but I’m pleased I managed to end with a great finish. It was a nice comeback," said Pagunsan, who only flew in on Tuesday night from Singapore where he played in an Asian Tour event.

"I hit the ball very well, except for the mistake I committed on 11 and then three-putted 17.

"The weather is really nice out there, it's cooling, totally different than last week (in Singapore),

"I hope to keep playing the same way for the rest of the week, continue to focus on putting the ball on the fairway, green and making those two putts."