Kendall's first major success was at the 1969 New Zealand PGA Championship at the Mount Maunganai Golf Course.

Although he did not break 70 on the weekend, he made a "pressure putt" on the final hole to defeat Bob Charles and John Lister by one.

[3] In September, he was selected to represent New Zealand, together with John Lister, at the World Cup in Singapore.

[4] In October, he recorded a high result at the West End Tournament in South Australia.

The mediocre play continued at the beginning of the second round; Kendall shot a front nine 36 followed by a three-putt on the 10th and then "missed an easy chance for a birdie" at the 11th.

[6] At the tournament proper, he was one back of Graham and Alan Murray entering the final round.

Kendall fell into a tie after a bogey on 16 but birdied the last for a one-stroke win over Dunk and Glen McCully.

[11] In November 1970, he played the Caltex Tournament at Paraparamu Beach Golf Club in New Zealand.

Kendall was out of contention starting the final day but shot a fourth round 66 (−6) to move up into the top-10.

In October 1971, he played the Australian PGA Championship at Surfers Paradise Golf Club.

Kendall shot a second round 66 to tie Guy Wolstenholme and Bob Charles for the lead at 135.

Kendall showed "mixed form" the first three days, shooting over par twice, and was at even-par for the tournament.

[29] In November, he led the way after the first round of the Qantas Australian Open, shooting a course record 68 (−4) in "cold winds" at the Kooyonga Golf Club to lead by two shots.

[30] A month later, he recorded a third place showing in his home country at the Otago Charity Classic, two out of a Johnny Miller/Lu Liang-Huan playoff.

[33][34] During this era, leading up to golf tournaments, Kendall was often considered by newspaper writers to be among the favorites.

In the "high winds" at The Grange during the final round, Ball played poorly and Kendall took the lead by the 14th hole.

Kendall however bogeyed the next two holes while Ball made a "magnificent" birdie on the 15th to regain the lead.

Despite the disappointing final stretch, Kendall finished solo runner-up, one ahead of fellow New Zealander Walter Godfrey.

[39] This excellent play through the early 1970s would help him qualify to represent New Zealand for a second time at the 1973 World Cup in Marbella, Spain.

In late December, he began played the Hibiscus Coast Classic at the Peninsular Golf Course.

He finished the first round with a 72 (E), one behind leader Curtis Strange, tied with Jack Nicklaus and Maurice Bembridge for second place.

[45] At the difficult Australian Golf Club course, he also managed to match par on Friday and Sunday and finished in a tie for fourth.

[46] In April 1977, he finished two behind Filipino Ben Arda at Japan's Dunlop International Open, joint runner-up with Tsuneyuki Nakajima.

[47] The following year, in September 1978, Kendall shot a third round 68 (−4) to tie for the overnight lead (216, E) at the South Seas Classic.

[51][52] In April, he played the Way Channel 9 Celebration Open at Mount Lawley Golf Course in Western Australia.

[57] During this time, he served as a mentor for future PGA Tour pro Frank Nobilo while he was still an amateur.

[58] The early 1980s were the final years Kendall received media attention for his work as a touring professional.

[63] Late in life, he lived in St. Lukes, a neighborhood within Mount Albert, an inner suburb of Auckland.