Golf: Indonesia win earns Hendry $261,000

Michael Hendry. Photo / Dean Purcell

Auckland golfer Michael Hendry cleared away from his rivals to secure the biggest win of his career at the Indonesian Open late last night (NZT).

The North Harbour player pocketed US$180,000 ($261,600) by distancing himself from the pack in the OneAsia Tour event in Jakarta.

Hendry began the final round at the Damai Indah Golf Club holding a one-shot lead over China's experienced Liang Wen-chong and ended it seven strokes clear of the 2007 Asian Tour No 1.

Hendry's previous best performance was a fifth placing at the SK Telekom Open in South Korea in May.

But he comfortably surpassed that last night when coolly shooting a seven-under-par 65 to finish on 19-under 269.

Liang was next best on 276 after carding a 71.

The windfall promoted Hendry from 30th place to sixth on the tour's order of merit.

His income this season now stands at US$213,836, still well behind Korea's Y E Yang, who leads with US$416,660.

Liang is second on US$313,200.

Last night's victory continued a rich vein of form for the 30-year-old Hendry, who banked $8000 for winning the Muriwai Open near Auckland in May immediately before heading to South Korea, then won the Pacific Tour's Fiji Open a fortnight ago.

A former New Zealand under-19 cricket representative, Hendry credits swing changes for helping to produce his fine form this season.

"I was very disillusioned with my game at the end of 2008 so I gave my swing a complete overhaul with my coach," said Hendry, who turned professional in 2004.

"I made major changes and it was really hard work but it was worth it.

Hendry became just the second New Zealander to win the Indonesian Open. Frank Nobilo won the title when it was an Asian Tour event in 1994 and 1997.

Hendry is also the first New Zealander to win a OneAsia title after the tour was launched last year to rival the Asian Tour.

Perth-based Michael Long was the next best of the New Zealanders.

His one-under 71 left him in a tie for 12th place on 283.

That was three shots clear of left-hander Gareth Paddison, who finished 21st equal after closing with a 70.

- NZPA