Dylan Perry’s future in Japan looks secure for another year after the rookie professional stormed home to finish tied for third at the Heiwa PGM Championship in Okinawa.
Now based at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, the Hunter Valley 24-year-old began the final round inside the top five and finished it off in style, making birdies at three of his final four holes to win close to $155,000 and make a crucial move on the Order of Merit.
With four events left to play on the Japan Golf Tour schedule, Perry now sits 36th on the moneylist, safely inside the cut-off for players to retain their playing privileges in 2020.
In a post on Instagram, Perry thanked the support network behind him for the second top-five finish of his young career.
“Absolutely thrilled with my T3 finish this week in the Heiwa PGM Championship in Okinawa,” said Perry, who topped PGA Tour of Australasia Q School last December.
“Big thanks to my caddy Simon Clarke for getting the job done with me! Absolute legend.
“Thanks to adidas Golf, Golf Australia, Titleist for your continued support.
“And lastly thank you to my better half Brittany for your belief in me.
“Onwards and upwards.”
Birdies at two of his opening three holes put Perry in position to challenge for the title before dropping a shot at the par-4 fourth hole.
After turning in 3-under 33 Perry gave a shot back with a three-putt bogey at the par-4 10th but needed just four putts across his final four holes to sign for a 5-under 66, three shots behind the winner, viral sensation Ho-Sung Choi.
Fellow Sanctuary Cove professional Brad Kennedy needed just 26 putts in his final round of 4-under 67 to record his second consecutive top-five finish to move up to 26th on the Order of Merit.
Japan Golf Tour
Heiwa PGM Championship
PGM Golf Resort, Okinawa
T3 Dylan Perry 67-70-70-66—273 ¥11,600,000
T5 Brad Kennedy 66-69-72-67—274 ¥7,600,000
T60 Won Joon Lee 68-74-77-71—290 ¥458,000
MC Brendan Jones 71-74—145
MC Adam Bland 69-76—145
MC Michael Hendry 70-75—145
MC Anthony Quayle 73-73—146
MC Matthew Griffin 75-72—147
MC David Bransdon 77-71—148