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He would be one of the most popular champions in the history of the New Zealand Open but merely being able to swing a club is enough to make him smile.
Hendry tees off in the 103rd Open today just a couple of months after being given the all-clear following treatment for leukaemia.
"To be here is pretty special.
"It’s going to be emotional. But I’m kind of keen just to move on and hopefully start achieving on the golf course again."
Elite golfers are famously skilled at shelving their emotions while standing over a tricky putt or working out the best way to extract themselves from the rough.
Hendry, 44, acknowledged it would be no easy task for him at Millbrook.
"Just even coming back and having some time to myself, having a coffee and looking around, and knowing what I went through, and how keen I was to get back ... the emotions of this week started to hit me.
"I’d love to have a great event, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to, just because of the extra emotion this week is carrying for me.
"I’m just happy to be here. Where I was six months ago, coming out of chemotherapy and not really knowing what the future held in terms of treatment and transplants and things like that, just to be here is a win in itself."
Hendry tied for sixth at the 2023 Open and said that seemed like a lifetime ago.
It was a cliche, but cancer had changed him. Lessons had been learnt, and perspectives gained.
He had also gone through immense physical change.
"I lost 15kg in a matter of weeks, and came out the other side of chemotherapy looking like someone I didn’t recognise.
"At that stage, I still had three rounds of chemo to go through, and if I didn’t do anything then and there, the road back was going to be too long.
"So I pushed hard and I re-dedicated myself to my health and fitness, and I put the weight back on.
"That was a lot of fun, to be honest. I haven’t eaten like that since I was a kid."
Hendry will now get a bone marrow biopsy every three months.
"I had that pleasure on Monday last week. I haven’t had the results back yet, so I’m a little bit anxious. The last one was really good — completely clear — but I want to stay clear."
He loves his home Open but he is also excited to return to the British Open this year. He was all set to play at the major last year when his health crisis emerged.
Hendry won the 2017 New Zealand Open after a dramatic three-man playoff on the 18th hole at Millbrook.
The weather looks good for the first two rounds of the $2million Open, so low scores will again be expected.
Golfers play one round on the resort’s Coronet layout and the other at the Remarkables layout, before a hybrid 18 at the weekend.
Daniel Hillier is the highest-ranked New Zealander in the field but the form of gun youngster Kazuma Kobori cannot be ignored, while another strong New Zealand contender is Queenstown favourite Ben Campbell.
Brendan Jones defends his title and is one of seven former champions in the field, while fellow Australians David Micheluzzi, Anthony Quayle and Todd Sinnott will fancy their chances.
Could this finally be the year the Open is won by an Asian golfer?
There are some exceptional players from the Asian and Japan tours in the field, including Taichi Kho, Jazz Janewattananond, Gunn Charoenkul, Kensei Hirata and Taichi Nabetani.
NZ Open
The facts
Where: Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown.
What: Four rounds, starting today.
Format: Up to 156 amateurs and 156 professionals play alongside each other. Professionals compete for NZ Open title, while pairings play best-ball format for the pro-am championship.
Cut: Top 60 plus ties (professionals), top 40 (pro-am).
Sanctioning: PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour, in partnership with Japan Tour.
Purse: $2 million.
Defending champion: Brendan Jones (Australia).
