Brendan Jones shares lead in Japan

BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2002 Philip Morris Championship | Round One | 01 Nov 2002

Following on from the successful performances of fellow Australasians David Smail and Scott Laycock over the last two weeks, yet another name from down under leads an event on the Japan Tour. New South Welshman Brendan Jones shares the lead after round one with Shingo Katayama and Dinesh Chand having opened with a first round 65.

Admittedly it is only round one of the Philip Morris K.K. Championship but it would seem that the performance of one is inspiring another as those from down under make their mark late in the season.

This event offers, along with the Dunlop Phoenix event in three weeks time, one of the richest purses on tour with total prizemoney of $A2,900,000. First prize here is some $A580,000.

Jones, who hails form Sydney, is in his second full season in Japan having finished 50th on the money list there last year. He has played eighteen events this season and has finished inside the top twenty in nine of those events. His best finish this year was his second placing at the Sun Chlorella event in Hokkaido but top twenties at both his last two starts at the Bridgestone and Acom International suggested something even better might not be far away. He is currently in 29th place on the money list.

Anthony Gilligan is at two under 70, Richard Backwell also a 70, David Smail 71 and last week’s winner Scott Laycock an even par 72.