TROON, Scotland — On July 19 final yr, New Zealand golfer Michael Hendry was watching the pre-tournament protection of the British Open at Royal Liverpool from the sofa in Auckland with chemotherapy medicine coursing by his veins. A shock leukemia analysis 10 weeks earlier pressured him to surrender the spot he’d earned by way of the Asian Tour for the 151st Open.
A yr later, and in remission, the 44-year-old Japan Tour veteran might solely really feel adrenaline in his physique as he teed up with three fellow Kiwis in a apply spherical on Tuesday at Royal Troon. His journey again to the hyperlinks main is a candidate for the largest feel-good story of the 152nd Open Championship, a event he says helped save his life.
“July 19 final yr, I’d managed to get out of hospital, however I used to be laying on the sofa, 14 kilograms [30 pounds] lighter, and battling to stroll up the steps at residence,” Hendry stated Tuesday at Troon.
In March final yr, Hendry had completed second at an Asian Tour occasion in Hong Kong, which earned him a spot in The Open at Hoylake by the championship’s world qualifying collection. However Hendry was always preventing the sensation of a chilly approaching for weeks, whereas he observed a lump on his chin. When he traveled to Australia for a event, he started to really feel drained sufficient to sleep for greater than 12 hours a day.
By April, assessments in Auckland had proven he had leukemia. By mid-Could, it was confirmed, and Hendry posted an emotional picture of his participant badge for the 151st Open on social media with devastating affirmation of his analysis and that he needed to take away himself from a 3rd look on the Open.
“Earlier than the Open final yr, the R&A had informed me if I might get myself wholesome, they’d grant me a spot [medical exemption] for this yr,” Hendry stated. “It was unhappy and annoying watching the protection, but additionally motivating to get again figuring out I had a spot. It was large and it actually helped me get by the therapies.”
These therapies have been horrific. Hendry was present process chemotherapy whereas attempting to regain weight and muscle along with his power and conditioning coach in Auckland. “I’d do a session with my coach, throw up, and both relaxation or maintain coaching,” Hendry stated.
There have been darkish moments. When Hendry’s analysis got here by, his spouse, Tara, and their two daughters, Maddison, 8 on the time, and Harper, 5, have been greater than 600 miles away attending a household marriage ceremony in Christchurch. Hours after the ceremony, Hendry confirmed the information to his spouse over the telephone. The couple waited till their youngsters returned from every week of faculty holidays earlier than sharing the devastating information.
“That was the hardest half; I’d stare at photographs of my youngsters and marvel how unfair it might be in the event that they needed to develop up and not using a father,” Hendry stated, his voice cracking.
Messages of assist flooded in from execs, caddies and officers from across the golf world, together with countrymen like Steve Williams, Tiger Woods’ former caddie, and former PGA Tour pro-turned-commentator Frank Nobilo. All inspired him to struggle. “These messages meant the world to me, each single one,” Hendry stated.
By way of most cancers, Hendry is in what’s known as deep molecular remission. There are traces of leukemia in his blood, and he needs to be examined repeatedly, however he’s in remission. By way of his sport, Hendry felt it was ok to simply accept his medical exemption into the 152nd Open. Lately, he earned one other top-15 end result on the Japan circuit, in addition to a high 30, and just one missed minimize in his 5 begins main into the Troon. He credited his play to working with former tour pro-turned-coach, Luke Toomey.
However Hendry saved his greatest thanks for household and mates who helped his journey again to golf’s oldest main. “My household and mates made it their mission to assist me get again and I don’t know repay them. However I’ve spent weeks returning calls, texts and thanking individuals in particular person,” he stated.
The tall, athletically constructed Kiwi additionally credited the R&A for giving him one thing to give attention to throughout his therapy. “I assumed after I gave up my spot at Hoylake, that was it. It was an unbelievable gesture,” Hendry stated.
Naturally, as a professional for 19 years, Hendry desires to compete this week at Royal Troon.
“I don’t wish 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 stated. “If I’ve week, nice, and if I don’t, I’m nonetheless going to have a good time.”
On Tuesday, Hendry seemed across the Ayrshire hyperlinks – whereas taking part in a morning apply spherical with DP World Tour winners and countrymen Ryan Fox and Daniel Hillier, in addition to rising New Zealand professional and former newbie star Kazuma Kobori—and couldn’t assist however really feel an amazing sense of gratitude.
“July 19 final yr appears a good distance away. I’m so glad to be again on the Open. My spouse and youngsters are all right here,” he stated, earlier than ripping a drive down the par-5 fourth gap at Troon. “This sounds odd, however generally I take a look at the analysis like a blessing in disguise. I take pleasure in life extra now.”
MORE GOLF DIGEST BRITISH OPEN COVERAGE
Is it the British Open or the Open Championship? The identify of the ultimate males’s main of the golf season is a topic of continued dialogue. The occasion’s official identify, as defined on this op-ed by former R&A boss Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship. However since many United States golf followers proceed to discuss with it because the British Open, and search information across the occasion accordingly, Golf Digest continues to make the most of each names in its protection.
