Michael Hendry now has the big 3 -Winner New Zealand Stroke Play
Michael Hendry file photo-Getty Images
Michael Hendry has added the only national stroke play title missing from his trophy cabinet, the Renaissance Brewing New Zealand Stroke Play which was held at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club this week.
Hendry carded rounds of 65, 70, 68, and 68 to get to 13-under par for the tournament to win by four shots over his good friend Mark Brown and become the first player to win the Renaissance Brewing New Zealand Stroke Play Championship, the New Zealand PGA Championship, and the New Zealand Open.
The Renaissance Brewing New Zealand Stroke Play has been elevated to Jennian Homes Charles Tour status for the first-time allowing professionals to play in the event alongside New Zealand’s elite amateurs.
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He says it’s a real honor to have all the premier stroke play titles in New Zealand to his name.
“This is really cool. I’m not too sure there is many people that have done something like this and I’m really proud to have etched my name further in New Zealand golfing history.
“I’ve been playing really well for a while now and I’ve come up short. To get across the line is really pleasing,” Hendry says.
He started the day with a four shot and despite winning by four, it wasn’t all clear sailing for the Japanese Tour player as his lead was reduced to a shot after 10 holes.
With Brown and Josh Geary firing shots at him left right and centre, Hendry drew on his many experiences in closing out Jennian Homes Charles Tour events on the back nine at Paraparaumu Beach.
He made birdies at the 12th, 16th, and 18th holes to seal the deal and win his seventh Jennian Homes Charles Tour event, the most of anyone in the tour’s history.
Hendry says staying composed was the key to his victory today.
“I was very aware of what was going on. Josh [Geary] caught fire through the middle part of the round after a slow start and [Mark] Brown was knocking on the door all day.
“The game plan I had worked all week and I wasn’t going to change it just because a couple of the guys were getting close. I just kept playing the right shots at the right times and being able to execute those shots certainly filled me with a little more confidence that I would be able to get over the line,” Hendry explains.
The next few weeks look a little unclear as he could be on a plane back to Japan, or he could be teeing it up at the next two Jennian Homes Charles Tour events; The Clubroom Gulf Harbour Open and the Autex Muriwai Open.
Hendry wasn’t the only winner on the day with Kazuma Kobori taking out the New Zealand Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship and winning the prestigious St Andrews Salver, while Vivian Lu took out the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Stroke Play and winning the sought-after Mellsop Cup for her efforts.