Brendan Jones continues to dominate in Japan.
For someone who has won so many times, Brendan Jones was surprisingly nervous.
After starting the final round of the Token Homemate Cup of the Japanese Tour two shots drifting off the lead at eight o'clock, Jones had taken the lead with nine to play after he had birdied the first, fourth and birdied the sixth hole.
The Canberran then kicked clear with three more birdies on the 11th, 12th and 14th holes when win No. 15 lashed up big in Japan.
But if you haven't done it for three years and the field starts chasing hard, it doesn't matter if you're a smart 44-year-old or a clueless rookie, the nature of golf means that nerves bite.
While Jones's putts had fallen early in his closing round, short pawns suddenly roamed the 15th, 16th and relatively easy 17th holes while the pack, including his close friend and fellow Aussie Matt Griffin, roared home
Jones then pulled his last tee-shot into a fairway and then flew his second over the green and bounced off the stands.
"At that moment I was afraid that Matt would catch me," said Jones.
But that's when Jones's stoic and calm hands kicked into the autopilot, even though he felt "embarrassed" to dig the rough instead of his third-party chips.
The ball dripped to 5m from the cup and let that tester hold Griffin who had completed his back nine in a sparkling 30 to finish at 14 below.
"I told myself to believe in the practice of the low season," Jones said, then quietly rolled into the winning putt and threw his back to take the air.
"It is very stressful to win a golf tournament – very nerve-racking and so many things going on in your head.
"I thought I would have stayed fairly calm, as calm as you can be in that situation, but when that well came in the 18th, it was pure relief that it was over."
A stunning conclusion seven-under-par 64 without a bogey was enough for a blow to ward off Melburnian Griffin, with a night leader Koumei Oda third third further back at 13 below.
It was the second time that Jones won the season-opening Token event, after saluting in 2012. But the veteran hasn't won since ANA Open stopped his injury and doubts about his future in 2016
"When we show up to play at Token, the tournament at the start of the year, everyone has the ambition to win the tournament," mused Jones
.
"To be here again and to have won seven years ago is a great feeling.
"I still feel that my game is good enough, and this week has shown, I am just so happy." I am very, very happy
"It gives a feeling that this year will be a good year.
"With the confidence you get when winning the tournament, I feel like I can win more along the way. But having said that, I also know how hard it is to win." As good as I played today, I only have one shot won.
"There are many very talented good players on this tour and winning is difficult, so I don't take it for granted.
"If I keep playing like this, I'll give myself a chance to win and that's all you can ask for – especially now that I'm 44."
While Jones and Griffin completed the quinella, a number of other Aussies were not far behind.
Won Joon Lee from Sydney built on his excellent 2018 campaign with a seventh place finish, with Golf Australia rookie and Japanese Tour newcomer Dylan Perry a shot further back in a tie for eighth.
There were two Aussies – David Bransdon and Brad Kennedy – also in the top 20, Anthony Quayle also played the weekend to complete T48.
The tour takes a one-week break before continuing with the ancient crowns in early May.