You never know what’s around the corner, as New Zealander Michael Hendry is well aware.
One day, you are breaking through on a tour where you haven’t tasted victory in six years, the next, you are punching your ticket for a third crack at a Claret Jug, and then…
You’re hooked up to a catheter and undergoing chemotherapy, fighting for your life against leukaemia.
But let’s discuss the breakthrough first.
The Kiwi appeared to be reborn with his win in the Victorian Open at 13th Beach in Februrary last year, showing all the signs of a player who has competed at the highest level and proving he was still of that quality. He was clinical in his finish. He headed into the final round with a three-shot lead which was was swiftly turned into seven after he birdied his opening hole and his nearest challenger – Justin Warren – made a triple bogey. Hendry won by four, a fast-finishing David Micheluzzi making the margin look tighter than it was. It was an all-round clinic.
A month later Hendry cemented his spot at the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool with a second-place finish at the World City Championship in Hong Kong. He was looking forward to making his third appearance at the major championship. It wasn’t to be. Just days after qualifying to play in The Open he was diagnosed with cancer.
caught Hendry coming out of the scoring hut following
