Millbrook Resort is clearly a happy hunting ground for Michael Hendry, as he posted a scintillating seven-under-65 on the Coronet Course to lead the Cello Invitational following the opening round.
The 2017 New Zealand Open champion recorded 43 stableford points in the unique format to lead his playing partner Kieran Muir by a couple and three ahead of a group of four players who shot four-under to record 40 stableford points.
The 47 players got underway at 11.15 this morning with a shotgun start, with Hendry teeing off the seventh. After opening with a par, he birdied the 8th and 11th before making a string of pars. Feeling a little frustrated standing on the 18th tee, he decided to step on a drive, carrying the fairway bunker just left of the fairway to set up a perfect six iron, which he hit to five feet for eagle. He calmly rolled in the putt to turn his fortunes around, and proceeded to three of his last four to post the day’s best score.
He says he’s happy with his solid start.
“I played pretty well for the most part. It was a bit scratchy to begin with – I was making some really good pars, and I just tried to stay patient. I finished really strongly; I made an eagle on the 18th and made some really nice birdies coming in.
“It was one of those days where it could have gone the other way if I didn’t keep my emotions in check – so I’m happy about that,” he laughs. “I haven’t been all that good at that in the past. My patience got rewarded.”
Hendry is playing the premier pro-am for the first time and says he jumped at the opportunity to play the event with the third highest prize purse in New Zealand after the New Zealand Open and New Zealand PGA Championship.
He says the decision to play was a no-brainer considering the hardship he’s been through this year.
“I could have been playing the Cathedral Invitational, but I chose not to play so I could play this event. It’s not always about the prestige of the event; it’s about the places you go and the people you spend your time with. The Cello Invitational has ticked all the boxes and I’m glad I chose to come and play.
“You can’t get better than playing golf in Queenstown. Any opportunity I get to come and play in this part of the world, I’ll snap it up. I’ve had a lot of success here, and being through what I have this year, it was a no-brainer.”
In second place playing alongside the leader was China Tour player Kieran Muir.
Muir recorded 41 stableford points following a solid five-under-67 of his own, which included three birdies, two eagles, and a couple of bogeys.
The Bay of Plenty professional enjoys the social aspect of the Cello Invitational, which separates the event from many other events he competes in. He says the amount of fun he had on the course reflected in his golf score.
“The good was good, but the bad was pretty loose. The first few holes the swing felt like an octopus falling out of a tree, but I came good, and I was able to feed off Mike a little bit.
“It was just a great day – it was really social out there, and I was lucky enough to play with a couple of my sponsors, which was really cool. It was a great time out there.
“The social side of the format is great. We get to mix it with some great amateurs and there seems to be a big philosophy of everyone having a great time. Everyone here is great and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Chas Craig, Jerry Ren, Ethan Jones, and Fraser MacLachlan are a further shot back with rounds of four under at 40 stablefords.
They’ll be looking to make up ground on the leaders during tomorrow’s final round at Jacks Point, which gets underway at 10.15am with a shotgun start.
Cello Invitational round 1 scores
Cello Invitational Tournament Information