Institute of Golf Tour Player Mike Hendry

Michael Hendry had the New Zealand PGA Order of Merit title well and truly wrapped up half way through the year although could not lay claim to the title until the second to last event.

This was because he had up to that time only played in seven tournaments and needed the eighth one to qualify for the title.

While in truth the title does not bring a lot to him, such is Hendry’s philosophy towards his New Zealand PGA membership and what it means to him that he was determined to lay claim to the number one spot.

This he did in emphatic style by taking out the Goodyear Mount Maunganui Pro-Am last week with a six under par round of 66. He followed this with a 68 third placing the next day at the Te Puke New World Pro-Am, an event that he did not need to play in, but with the successful year that he had just experienced it was very much appreciated that he saw the year through to the very last event.

It might be that we don’t see a lot of Hendry in our events through the 2011 year, and if this is so it will be for all of the right reasons.

The highlight of his year was without doubt his emphatic win in the Indonesian Open on the fledgling OneAsia Tour. This, together with his other high finishes in other events on this tour saw him finish the year in third position on the OneAsia Tour Order of Merit for the 2010 year.

He then moved on to his quest for a US PGA Tour card, winning his first stage event in Hawaii, then qualifying comfortably for the six round finale at the second stage. It was not to be however when he finished down the list but still earning a provisional Nationwide Tour qualification.

It is now up to Hendry where he plays next year, but while the OneAsia Tour would appear to be his main focus don’t be surprised if he doesn’t show up in some early Nationwide Tour events in an effort to improve his ranking at the first review.

Hendry’s record on the 2010 New Zealand PGA Tour is recorded here.
• Omaha Pro-Am 72 71 = 143 19th equal
• Brian Perry Classic 68 67 72 = 207 2nd
• Hastings Pro-Am 68 69 = 137 4th equal
• Tauranga Open 69 65 66 65 1st Professional
• Muriwai Open 67 68 68 68 = 271 1st
• Wairakei Open 69 76 71 73 = 289 4th
• Taranaki Open 70 71 71 = 212 2nd
• Mt Maunganui Pro-Am 66 1st
• Te Puke Pro-Am 68 3rd