Kennedy in early mix in DP World Tour's Japan event

Brad Kennedy
Brad Kennedy is on the leaderboard after the first round of the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan. -AAP Image

Australian veteran Brad Kennedy has fired a flawless five-under 65 opening round at the DP World Tour's ISPS Handa Championship at Ishioka Golf Club in Japan.

A multiple winner on the Japan and Australasian tours, 48-year-old Kennedy was two shots behind joint leaders Andy Sullivan of England and South Korea's Yeongsu Kim.

Sweden's Alexander Bjork, Canada's Aaron Cockerill and South Africa's Deon Germishuys shared third place on six under.

Kennedy was tied with Japan's Keita Nakajima, Yosuke Asaji and Ryutaro Nagano, Swede Sebastian Soderberg, South African Jacques Kruyswijk and New Zealand's Daniel Hillier. 

Kennedy's countryman Lucas Herbert was also in the early mix after a 67.