Queenslander Brad Kennedy has an
opportunity to grab top Australasian spot on the Japan Tour money list with
Michael Hendry electing to play the Australian Open in favour of this week’s
Dunlop Phoenix tournament.

The pair have battled for top honours all
year though Kennedy has fallen behind after a couple of recent off weeks.

Hendry is currently 10^th on the
standing while Kennedy is 14^th but the Queenslander has a good
opportunity to close the gap this week.

The Dunlop Phoenix not only boasts one of
the Tour’s richest purses but is a tournament in which Kennedy has played well
previously.

In four appearances, Kennedy has a T6 and T11
finish at the tournament and will be keen to produce that level of golf again
this week.

Also in the mix for top money honours among
the Australasians is Brendan Jones who sits just one spot behind Kennedy in 15^th.

While Kennedy and Hendry have been models
of consistency in 2016, Jones is the only Australasian to post a tournament
victory and has been in decent form in recent weeks.

Jones’ record at the event is impressive with
a third, a fourth and a fifth between 2011 and 2014.

Won Joon Lee, Adam Bland, Scott Strange and
Kurt Barnes round out the Australasian challenge this week with Lee showing
signs of his best golf in recent weeks.

The Sydney native is compiling a strong
finish to the season and a final round 67 at his only other appearance at this
tournament will give him some added confidence heading into the week.