Hendry rejects big bucks to defend NZ golf title

Defending NZ Open champ Michael Hendry with wife Tara. Photo / Photosport

Kiwi golfer Michael Hendry will defend his New Zealand Open golf title in Queenstown next year, foregoing a chance to play in the rich World Gold Championship event in Mexico.

Hendry, 38, who became the first New Zealander in 14 years to win the Open title, confirmed his place in the 99th edition of the tournament at the Millbrook Resort and The Hills on March 1-4.

Hendry, who is playing in the Australian PGA Championship this week, said he was honoured to return to defend his crown, despite a potential second invitation to play in the WGC event in Mexico at the same time.

"It wasn't really a hard decision. Mexico is an amazing event and the chance to play against the best players in the world which is a big thing for a player of my stature," said Hendry.

But his national title meant more to him.

"You don't just win it once and forget about it. You want to keep coming back and winning it. As far as I am concerned it is my trophy and I am not going to let it go."

He joins Tim Wilkinson and Steven Alker as early entries for the tournament co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Hendry followed his playoff victory at Millbrook Resort with another outstanding year on the Japan Tour that included seven top-10 finishes including second in the Mizumo Open and third in the Mitsui Sumitoma Masters. He is 16th on the Japan Order of Merit with earnings of $670,000 this year.

"I would give my year in Japan a seven out of 10. I've played 26 events and missed only three cuts. The one thing that marks it down is not winning again in Japan.

"Winning the New Zealand Open was a great thing and something that was very special for me. But I play golf to win and I've come very, very close in a lot of golf tournaments this year so it has been a great year but one tinged with a bit of frustration also."

The North Harbour-based player would like nothing more than to become just the 12th person to win the New Zealand Open in successive years, a feat not achieved since American Corey Pavin did it 32 years ago.

"You never go into a tournament expecting to win, you go in hoping to win. I suppose now with my track record around those courses I know I am going to have a pretty good chance if I have a good summer in terms of preparation and get myself ready for the event properly. If I do that then I can put myself in a position to defend.

"I managed to do it [win back to back] around the Hills with the NZPGA in 2013, so I would love to defend it."

• Masters champion Sergio Garcia has overcome his earliest tee time, a new course and heavy rain to put himself in contention for the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.

Beginning alongside Adam Scott at 6.10am, the Spaniard shot a five-under 67 despite never having seen the Royal Pines course until this week.

His bogey-free round came despite heavy showers forcing play to be suspended twice. "I've never teed off at 6.10 in a tournament ... so that was interesting," the Spaniard said.

Garcia thought he had plenty in the tank despite hardly putting a foot wrong in trying conditions. "I felt like I played pretty solid; I wouldn't say that it was amazing, but it was good."

Mark Brown was the leading Kiwi at three-under, one shot ahead of Hendry, Brad Shilton and Michael Long, four shots behind Australian co-leaders Jordan Zunic and Adam Bland, who shot six-under 66.