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.