Brendan is in 34th position after the second round of the Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open near Osaka, his second round of 70 improving his position from 56th after his opening round.

After a horror start to the event on Thursday where he dropped four shots in his first five holes, Brendan may well have been wondering why he made the effort to fly back for the one event but he fought back to finish with one over 73.

"It was a shocking start," said Brendan after his opening round. "I missed some very short putts  on two out of the first 3 holes then hit my tee shot on the par 3 13th OB with a seven iron. I played great after that but putted horrendously. I feel I should be about 4 under even with my shocking start!!!"

He made a much better start to his second round and was three under through 13 holes before bogies at the 15th and 16th had him back close to the cutline.

A birdie at the par five last however saw him finish at 1 under and although ten shots from the leader, Hyun Sung Kim, he at least has a chance to make progress over the weekend.

Brendan will need a big weekend if he is to threaten one of the four places available this week for the Open Championship but it is not beyond the realms of possibility.  

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