Michael Hendry, A Cricket Star Crowned The Champion Of Indonesia Open

“I caught fire out there today. I have worked really hard on my game over the past year and it has paid off. I know my mortgage is now going to be a lot smaller”, Hendry commented on his triumph.

All the spectators’ expectation to see a thrilling duel between two golfers in the leader flight , Michael Hendry from New Zealand and Liang Wenchong from China, on the final day at Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta was not fully fulfilled. Their tight battle ended on the 9th hole by Hendry, taking one stroke lead over Wen-chong who stranded with bogeys on 10th, 11th, and 12th hole , while Hendry did a spectacular move with his four birdies on 11th,12th,13th, and 14th hole.

It would have taken a miracle for Liang Wenchong to be able to pull himself back in the battle for the last four holes, yet he showed a tough fight in earning one last birdie on 16th to lessen his loss at 7 stroke behind Hendry.

Approaching his ball that landed 3 meters of the last hole at Damai Indah Golf-Pantai Indah Kapuk Course, Michael Hendry already wore a winning smile and waved gracefully to the spectators at the tribunal and marquee who were applauding him loudly.

This 30 years old from North Harbour, New Zealand , did not show an over emotional feeling of thrill right after he made a putt for par . It was understood as he had confirmed his winning from the last two holes.

Hendry finished his game at 19-under 269 from the four rounds and earned US$180,000 of the total prize of US$1,000,000.-

“I caught fire out there today. I have worked really hard on my game over the past year and it has paid off. I know my mortgage is now going to be a lot smaller”, Hendry commented on his triumph.

His total score with a spectacular winning margin had made the Indonesian golf community ask around about this non-seeded player. The same thing happened to Miko Illonen and Felipe Aguilar who won the Indonesia Open in 2007 and 2008. Hendry’s accomplishment in golf had not heard in Indonesia whose community paid more attention to the championship in United States and Europe.

Hendry started his career in sport as a cricket player which is the favorite sport in his country. He played in under-19 New Zealand national team then representing Auckland before he chose to concentrate on his golf at the age of 20 because of his injuries. Hendry started his professional golf career in 2004.

Hendry won the Fiji Open two weeks before he arrived in Indonesia . He also had won many local tours in New Zealand. Since the opening season in 2009 , he led the money list earning in New Zealand.

With this victory, Michael Hendry moved his name up to the 6th position OneAsia Order of Merit till the list will be adjusted at the next tour at Thailand Open 2010, Pattaya next August. As for Liang Wen-chong, after bagging US$ 102,000 as the runner up, he was listed on the 2nd position OneAsia Order of Merit.