Michael Hendry of New Zealand performs a shot on the sixth gap on day considered one of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 18, 2024. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos
One yr after being identified with leukemia, Michael Hendry made an emotional return to The Open Championship.
Hendry, 44, teed off at Scotland’s Royal Troon on Thursday, July 18, with the most cancers he came upon about in Might 2023 now in remission.
“It was unimaginable,” Hendry stated after his opening spherical 74 (+3). “Phrases can’t actually describe how grateful I’m.”
To make the day much more particular, Hendry’s spouse, Tara, and their two daughters — Maddison, 9, and Harper, 6 — had been readily available to observe his spherical in particular person.
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“I actually hoped I used to be going to be wholesome sufficient to play so I might carry them over,” the New Zealand native stated. “I’m no spring hen anymore, and taking part in on the Japan Tour, we don’t get that many alternatives to get into main occasions.”
He continued, “This might very nicely be my final British Open. My women are actually simply on the age the place they will form of perceive what dad does, and to have them right here and experiencing The Open, which is the largest, the oldest, the most effective golf event of the lot, I believe it offers them a extremely cool perspective as to what dad does.”
Whereas he’s thrilled to be again competing, Hendry acknowledged that his well being journey over the previous yr has given him some recent perspective.
Michael Hendry, t on the seventeenth inexperienced throughout a observe spherical previous to The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 16, 2024. Harry How/Getty Photos
“I don’t need to make up the numbers, however strolling and taking part in 4 rounds, in addition to consistency, is a bit more tough after my therapies,” he admitted. “If I’ve a superb week, nice. And if I don’t, I’m nonetheless going to have a good time.”
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Throughout his pre-tournament press convention on Tuesday, July 16, Hendry gave credit score to “all of the docs and nurses who’ve helped me over the past 12 months. It was extraordinarily particular. That is one factor that actually obtained me by way of my restoration.”
After qualifying for final yr’s Open Championship in Liverpool, Hendry was compelled to surrender his spot within the event after the prognosis.
Henry recalled event organizers telling him “if I might get myself wholesome, they’d grant me a spot for this yr.”
“It was unhappy and annoying watching the protection,” Hendry remembered, “but in addition motivating to get again realizing I had a spot. It was enormous, and it actually helped me get by way of the therapies.”
