Hendry (-14) tops Turtle Bay qualifier standings, moves on to second round of Q-School

LIHU‘E — Mike Hendry has come a long way since taking professional golf seriously nine years ago.

“It’s been a step by step process over the last two years while working with my swing coach, Craig Dixon, on all facets of my game,” said the 31-year-old Hendry. “It all came together this week.”

Hendry shot a 14-under par 274 in his four rounds at Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku to take first place and be one of 10 players who will advance to the second round of tour qualifying. He was glad he chose Turtle Bay as his first qualifying site.

“I knew it was going to be windy and I’m a good wind player,” he said. “It’s not overly windy in New Zealand, but it consistently blows. I knew a lot of the good American players were not going to come here, so I liked my chances. It’s also the closest site to home.”

Having his wife on the bag all week didn’t hurt either.

“She makes me feel very comfortable on the golf course,” he said. “She is very supportive on my decisions and always has been. She is the one who convinced me to pursue professional golf rather then cricket.”

This year, Hendry had a win on the One Asia Tour, a top 10 on the Nationwide Tour and a top 10 on the Japan Tour.

Tony Finau, who represents Turtle Bay Resort, finished alone in eighth place with rounds of 71 (-1), 73 (+1), 70 (-2), and 68 (-4), good for a tournament total of 6-under.

A pair of former University of Hawai‘i golfers just missed out on the top 10, Pierre Henri Soero by one stroke and Jarrett Hamamoto by four.

Players advancing were Hendry (-14), Luke Hickmott, Australia (-11), Alan Wagner, Argentina (-11), Keith Huber, Fresno, Calif. (-8), Ryan Posey, Dallas, Texas (-8), Nate Lashley, Scottsdale, Ariz. (-8), Darren Angel, Northridge, Calif. (-7), Finau, Lehi, Utah (-6), Michael Feuerstein, La Jolla, Calif. (-4) and Sebastian Saavedra Larceri, Argentina (-3).

This is the first time the state of Hawai‘i has hosted PGA Tour Qualifying School.