Brendan is in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture for this week's Asia Pacific Panasonic Open, an event which brings together an interesting mix of both Japan Tour and Asian Tour regulars.

Following a fast finish to last week's ANA Open in his first event for six weeks, Brendan seemed happy enough with his ongoing form when he spoke from Kobe today. "My game still feels in good shape. I did not go to the course today but it felt good yesterday. The course and more especially the greens have struggled a little in the recent heat and it is still hot this week but it should not make a lot of difference to my putting - in fact it might help!"

Brendan was of course referring to his battles on the greens in the early stages of last week's event.

"This is a tough course - in fact it is a bit like a Japan Open set up really," added Brendan referring to the Rokko Kokusai Golf Club's East Course, a new venue for this particular event. The Nicklaus Group redesign of an original  Fukuichi Kato layout actually played host to a Japan Open in 1983 before the redesign.

Brendan has a late tee time on day one.