mrbojumbles

Michael Hendry – flying the New Zealand flag with pride

Post by: Reece Lightning

// October 6th, 2010 // Johnnie Walker Golf Club News, News

We’re a tough ol’ bunch us Kiwi golf fans. We haven’t been spoilt for choice when it comes to our top pros playing well on the world stage of late. Cambo conquered then fell, David Smail keeps plugging away on a tour we never see, young Danny’s teased us, and a handful of others have knocked on the door. But all is not lost. Thankfully 30-year-old Michael Hendry’s been making some noise. Actually, lets be honest. With the lack of solid Kiwi results of late, Master Hendry’s been making a racket!

JWGC – It’s fair to say you’re New Zealand’s form golfer, how does it feel to currently be our best out there and flying the flag so to speak?

MH – “It’s great. It’s nice to be recognised as that. In terms of world rankings I don’t think I’m the best, I would say I’m probably the one that’s in form at the moment. It’s obviously nice to go out there and represent New Zealand and perform well. I’m being pretty consistent at the moment so it’s nice to always be there or thereabouts, and that gets the New Zealand flag noticed so it’s nice to be able to do that.”

(A mrbojumbles piece as seen on Johnnie Walker Golf Club)

JWGC – How has winning the Indonesian Open in July changed you as a golfer?

MH – “It’s obviously given me a lot of belief. I know I can compete now with the best players in the world. I’ve played two main tour events since that – the Thailand Open and the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, and I’ve had an 11th place and a 7th place since. It seems like the form’s still good, and even when I’m not striking it at my best I know I can get it round and still compete. Maybe I play a little more patiently now and I don’t have to push to win, I know I can put myself into position if I stay calm and patient.”

JWGC – You had a classy win at the the Charles Tour’s Muriwai Open earlier this year. The Tour’s got to be good for New Zealand golf, what are your thoughts on our local circuit?

MH – “I think it’s fantastic. I think having those events has been huge not only for my career but a career of a lot of the young professionals and amateurs who are looking to turn pro. Having those four round events with good competition on good golf courses is huge. I’ve been lucky enough to take some of my form from the Charles Tour events overseas, and I think the experience I’ve gained in those events has been a huge help. To be perfectly honest, I don’t really feel there’s any difference between a Charles Tour event to a main tour event anywhere in the world – the competition level’s as good, the golf courses are as good, so getting experience at that level for anyone is good, and it’s going to stand New Zealand golf in good stead I think.”

JWGC – You’ve been vocal about aiming for the PGA Tour, is that still you plan for next year and what path are you planning to take?

MH – “Yep, I’m still planning on going to the US Q-School. I’ve been confirmed in the first stage in Hawaii which starts on the 26th of October, so I have to go through the three stages of that. If I fall short, I’ve still got the One Asia Tour to play on and hopefully my Order of Merit finish from this year will allow me to get into a later stage of US Q-School next year. The exemptions haven’t come out yet, but it looks like the US Tour’s going to be fairly generous to the One Asia Tour, so hopefully the success I’ve had on the One Asia Tour will be able to get me through in to a later stage of US Q-School next year if I need to go.”

JWGC – How about the European Tour, is it an option if the PGA Tour card doesn’t happen?

MH – “I guess so, but it’s probably not an option that I’ve thought too much about at this stage especially with the One Asia Tour growing. I’ve always wanted to play in the US because that’s where the best players are and I want to test myself against them. And with the One Asia Tour, it gives me a really good tour where I can ply my trade if I don’t get on the US Tour this year.”

JWGC – Your plans for the summer? There are a number of PGA tour of Australasia events – are you going to tee it up in the Aussie Masters perhaps with Tiger coming back down again?

MH – “I am teeing it up in the Aussie Masters, I’ve entered that event. It’s in between my first and second stage of US Q-School. I had the option to go and play the Singapore Open in the same week but I decided to play the Masters simply because I love playing golf in Australia and the chance to compete against Tiger again is great, plus Sergio and Camilo Villegas [also Aussie stars Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Allenby] are coming down this year too, so you’ve got maybe three of the top 20 players in the world. I’m really looking forward to having a crack at them actually.”

JWGC – It’s been breakthrough season thus far, but just how good can Michael Hendry really be?

MH – “It’s a big question and it’s hard to answer it without sounding arrogant but I think I can compete with the best in the world. If I keep developing my game I can still see areas where I can improve and I’m going to keep working hard and I think potentially I can be well and truly a top 20 player in the world for many years. If I can continue to put myself in position week in week out the wins will come, the ranking points will go up, and so will the bank account. I’ve got no doubts that I can compete with the best.”

JWGC – Your partner’s a big part of team Hendry I understand, how important is it to have that constant support from your other half?

MH – “It’s huge, Tara does so much for me. I’ve very fortunate that she’s a travel agent. She books all my travel, I don’t have to really worry about any of the outside stuff so it allows me to just focus on my game. I just let her know what tournaments I’m going to be playing in, I hand in an entry fee, then she liaises with all the tournament officials, then gets my flights and accommodation sorted – so it’s basically like having a manager. She’s started to help a few of the other players out as well, so it’s great having her support there. She makes my life a lot easier my giving me a kick in the ass when I need it and giving me a shoulder to cry on if I have a bad day.”

JWGC – Would you rather have a green jacket or a claret jug?

MH – “Um both, but if I had to choose I’d take a green jacket. But looking at the way I play the game, I’m more likely to get a Claret Jug.”

JWGC – Who would your dream foursome be?

MH – “It’s a tough one… but I’d have to say Tiger. I still think he’s the best player to ever play the game, even though he hasn’t quite beaten Jack’s record, but what he’s achieved is incredible. Sean Connery, just because I’m a big Connery fan. And I suppose I’d have to throw a girl in there too, lets say Mila Kunis from That 70’s Show [laughs].”

JWGC – And finally, if you could give one tip to amateur golfers, what would that be?

MH – “For the New Zealand amateur golfers, it would be to spend less time working on perfecting your golf swing, and more time practising your short game and your putting, and working with sports psychologists and mental coaches.”