Starting his final round by holing out for a stunning eagle Brad Kennedy made a brave Sunday charge at the Kansai Open but had to settle for runner-up as Japan’s Daisuke Kataoka held strong to claim his first Japan Tour title.

Kennedy teed up in this event for just the
third time in his career and this week’s second place result complements a
victory and T3 in his previous two appearances.

An opening round 70 proved costly to the
Queenslander’s chances in the end. Thursday saw 22 players return scores in the
60’s including eventual winner Kataoka who shared the lead with a 66.

But Kennedy showed his liking for the
Meishin Yokaichi Country Club the following two days with rounds of 66-67 on
Friday and Saturday to enter the final round four off the lead.

At 5-under for his first seven holes Sunday,
Kennedy was a genuine threat as he headed for the turn but Kataoka was strong
under the pressure and began the back nine 4-under for the day himself and
comfortably in front.

A doubly bogey at 12 was the fatal blow for
Kennedy who also dropped a shot at the 14^th and despite birdies at
the 13^th and 16^th he finished three behind Kataoka.

The solo runner-up finish moves Kennedy to
ninth on the money list, the third Australasian into the top-10 after both
Michael Hendry and Adam Bland recorded maiden wins earlier this season.

Also having a good week was Japan Tour
rookie Won Joon Lee who finished a shot behind Kennedy and in a share of third.

It was Lee’s second start in Japan having
earned his card at Qualifying School and the cheque for just over AU$42,000 has
him 30^th on the money list and in good shape already to retain his
card for 2016.

Adam Bland (T18), Scott Strange (T24),
Brendan Jones (T41) and Matt Griffin (T46) were the other Australasians to make
the cut with Steve Conran, David Smail and Kurt Barnes all missing out.