The first Japan Tour event of the year tees off this week at the Token Homemate Cup with Brendan Jones heading a strong list of Australasians into the 2015 season.

Nine Australians and two New Zealanders are set to play the year’s first event in Nagoya, an event which has been a happy hunting ground in the past.

Jones, whose 2014 season was interrupted by a comeback from wrist surgery, said on his website he is back at full strength and looking forward to getting back to tournament golf after a month long break following the New Zealand Open in March.

In 2012 Jones became the fourth Australian to win the tournament in its 22 year history following in the footsteps of Craig Warren (1994), Andre Stolz (2003) and Wayne Perske.

Jones is joined in the field this week by Peter Wilson, who steps up from the Japan Challenge Tour last year and rookie Matt Griffin, who earned a card at Q-School, among the 11 strong contingent.

Also teeing up are regulars Matt Guyatt, Steve Conran, Brad Kennedy, Scott Strange, Kurt Barnes and New Zealanders Michael Hendry and David Smail.

This week marks a big step in the career of Griffin who is twice a winner on the OneAsia tour and has also twice tasted success on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

The 32-year-old has shown improvement each year since turning Professional in 2008 and the opportunity to play in Japan could prove a stepping stone to even bigger things.

Peter Wilson is also to be congratulated after winning twice on the Japan Challenge Tour last year and earning full status for 2015.

Few from outside Japan have made the commitment to play the Challenge Tour but that may change given Wilson’s success.

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