Golf: Hendry takes Lawnmaster Classic victory

Michael Hendry of New Zealand tees off during the NZPGA Golf Championship. Photo / Getty Images

Michael Hendry has won the 2016 Lawnmaster Classic for the second consecutive year and now holds the record for most wins on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.

Hendry jumps ahead of veteran Doug Holloway with six victories on the tour and if he returns to play here in New Zealand it would be no surprise if he was to add to his tally.

"It's immensely satisfying, I want to be regarded as one of New Zealand's best when I hang up my boots," said Hendry.

The more tournaments you win locally the more times your name is on trophies and the more you put you name into that good grouping so really, really happy to have another win."

His sixth title didn't come easy this afternoon with Josh Geary consistently nipping at his heals in a real dog fight.

After 22 holes of frustrating even par golf, Hendry finally got a roll on with four birdies in five holes to close out the front nine.

"I definitely struggled on the greens yesterday, so it was nice to make a solid birdie on five which gave me more confidence and then a little buffer as well."

Josh Geary then came to the party with consecutive birdies on 13, 14 and 15 to be locked up with Hendry coming down the stretch which the hundred plus Manawatu Golf Club faithful's were relishing.

Hendry then showed why he has the most Jennian Homes Charles Tour victories next to his name with convincing birdies on 15, 17 and 18 to win in style.

"When Josh applied some pressure on the back nine, it was a lot of fun. It was a bit of a ding dong battle out there and thankfully I made a few more birdies than he did," smiled the Lawnmaster Classic Champion.

Chantelle Cassidy has just completed her second Jennian Homes Charles Tour victory in a row after holding off nearest rival Amelia Garvey in clinical fashion.

Trailing the Lawnmaster Classic by one shot overnight, Garvey struck early to put pressure on Cassidy, but Cassidy then put together a near perfect final showing all how to hold onto a lead with professionalism.

"It feels good to win another Jennian Homes Charles Tour event!" said Cassidy

"I have played Lawnmaster a couple of times and come so close, but now I have got the win. I made crucial birdies and just tried to stay focused throughout the day."

"My game is improving since Riversdale and it's just getting better and better, so we will see how we go at the strokeplay next week."

Cassidy has become a force in the women's field and is slowly building with each tournament she enters. It will be exciting to see all these girls go head to head at the National Strokeplay Championship next week hosted by the Christchurch Golf Club.

The week in the mighty Manawatu started with an early hurdle with rain forcing day one to be abandoned. However, from then on it was nothing but beauty as the weather and more importantly the golf turned it on. Locals may have only seen 54 holes, but they were treated to some of the best golf you will witness in the New Zealand.