Brendan has finished third at the Japan Open Golf Championship behind the prolific winner, Shingo Katayama, and the brilliant 17 year old Ryo Ishikawa.

Starting the final round five behind Katayama, Brendan made a good start with a birdie at the first and then added another at the 11th and at that point had moved within three of the lead.

Two dropped shots late in the piece saw Brendan slip back into outright third but it was still a very good week and in fact is Brendan's best ever finish in the Japan Open.

"I played well today and even though I wasted a few opportunities I am fairly satisfied with the week. I played with young Ishikawa and he was very impressive. It was like watching Norman in his heyday such is the hype about him and the quality of his play. He drives the ball beautifully and hits shots that no other 17 year old could possibly hit."

Brendan moves into 8th position on the Japan Golf Tour's money list with ¥58 million or $A830,000.

Brendan will now attend a Corporate day for his equipment company Callaway in Tokyo today then head back to Canberra before returning for the Lexus Cup in two weeks time. He will then play all of the Japan Golf Tour's remaining events other than the Casio World Open during which he will be representing Australia at the World Cup in China.