Q & A: Michael Hendry

Michael Hendry. Photo / Supplied

North Harbour golfer Michael Hendry has had a couple of terrific years, the highlight being victory in the Indonesia Open in July 2010.

The 32-year-old once despaired of his golf career, but rose to the top bracket of the OneAsia tour and had a crack at the US PGA Q school.

He was in the news again this week after leading the Victorian Open by six shots and finishing third.

Hendry, also a top junior cricketer, takes a few questions from the Weekend Herald.

Was it a laugh or cry situation, finishing third at Melbourne?

It was kind of weird - I was scoring really well (in the first two rounds) but didn't feel I was playing well. My ball striking was okay but my driving was poor. The only thing that got me to the front was putting. I'm realistic about what happened.

What's next?

I don't have another tournament for six weeks. I'll take a week off and then get back to working really hard with my coaches. I need a little break because my body has taken a hammering since mid-August.

What are your aims?

Two years ago I would have been happy with what happened last week, but I've had great results in Asia and I've set pretty big goals. I feel I am good enough to mix it with the best. I would like to play in the majors and get my world ranking as high as I possibly can. My world ranking was 380 12 months ago which isn't bad when you consider how many golfers are out there ... my goal is to be recognised as someone who can win any tournament and I need to get into the top 50 to make things happen.

You were a national under-19 cricketer - any famous teammates?

I was in the side for three years so just about everybody who has been in the Black Caps in the past 10 or so years - Jacob Oram, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, the Marshall twins, James Franklin ...

Not a bad line up - where did you fit in?

I was a bowling all-rounder - a middle-order batsman who could float according to the situation. My cricket career didn't quite work out, though.

When did golf become No 1?

At the end of 2004 I decided to go to the Australasian Tour Q school. My very good friend Josh Carmichael said he was going to give it a crack and I thought 'why not?' Josh and I grew up playing together at Pupuke and he's also a professional now.

Tell us about the hard times.

The end of 2008 ... that was a really bad time in my life. I remember being in tears talking to my mum, saying that I didn't think I could do this any more. I was in a deep, dark hole. Mark Bryers from Blue Chip had been my sponsor for nine months but then that fell over. He is a controversial subject, but I am very grateful for the support he gave me. I wouldn't be where I am without it. So I lost that, couldn't win tournaments and the financial burden was extremely stressful. People don't realise how much it costs to play on these tours. My wife Tara and I have been together forever and she has always been so supportive but for the first time she suggested that maybe I should consider getting another job - although she never said "give up".

You are grateful to ...

My school, Long Bay College. It wasn't much of a sports school but it gave me all the encouragement to pursue becoming a professional sportsman.

If you weren't a golfer, what would you be?

No idea. I never wanted a real job. If I wasn't a golfer I would probably be trying to play cricket professionally.

What's the best advice you ever received?

My mental performance coach said you have got to be honest with yourself. Some people will still say everything is okay with their game when it is not.

Childhood hero?

Richard Hadlee. He was an amazing sportsman. All I wanted to do as a kid was bowl fast. In later years, Tiger Woods.

Favourite course?

The Pantai Indah Kapuk course, where I won the Indonesia Open in 2010. I also came second there last year. Every hole seems to be set up for my eye. Kinloch [near Lake Taupo] is another ... I don't actually have good memories there, but from a golfing point of view it is a fantastic course and the best in New Zealand.

Who has the best swing in golf?

Tiger - his swing is as close to perfection as I've seen, although it is a subjective argument and others will disagree.

Favourite club?

The driver. It's my strength - it generally goes straight and long.Do you want Tiger to beat Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major victories? Yes - Tiger deserves it. He is an incredible golfer. All that other stuff is his private life.