Fox, Hendry lead NZ charge at #WS6Perth

Ryan Fox and Michael Hendry will spearhead the Kiwi assault at next weeks ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth after both enjoying standout seasons in 2017.

Hendry became the first New Zealander to win our national Open since Mahal Pearce in 2003 which he followed up with a second-place finish in the Japan Tours Gate Way to The Open - The Mizuno Open, enough to see him make his major debut at the 146th Open Championship.

While he finished outside the top-24 at last years ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, Hendry said he enjoyed the concept which puts a twist on a regular 72-hole stroke play tournament.

"I really enjoyed it, unfortunately I didnt make the match play aspect last year and played only three days of the four so I couldnt really get a players perspective from the match play side of things," said Hendry.

"I think any time you can innovate and create new interest in the game its got to be a good thing regardless if its successful or not its created interest and thats what we need.

Hendry however did get his match play fix during the Japan Tours ISPS HANDA Match Play Championship where he reached the quarter finals.

"I was fortunate enough to play another ISPS HANDA Match Play event in Japan last year which I really enjoyed and tied for seventh so I got pretty deep. It just puts that added pressure on to every single putt and I really enjoy that aspect of it so hopefully I can get in to the top-24 on Sunday and be in the mix."

Fox who is our new best ranked Kiwi at World Number 126, enjoyed a career best year in 2017 where he cracked the World top-100 and played in two Majors but was a whisker away from making the top-24 at last years tournament.

He was part of a playoff on Saturday to decide the final qualifiers and lost the final place in the top-24 to teenage Thai sensation Phachara Khongwatmai who eventually finished runner-up in the tournament.

"I just missed out on the match play in the playoff and looking back on that, it provided some excitement on a Saturday afternoon and the crowd doesnt get that type of golf until a Sunday afternoon normally," said Fox.

"Hopefully I can do a little better and make that match play on the Sunday this year, I think its good for golf having that different kind of format as well. We play so many 72-hole stroke play events something different is always nice."

Now with a full-time home on the European Tour, Fox is no stranger to teeing it up alongside English stars Danny Willett, Tyrrell Hatton and Lee Westwood who all make their ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth debut next week.

Rounding into form, Fox is currently tied 10th at the European Tour and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Maybank Championship in Malaysia while Hendry fired an opening round of one-under the card at the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasias Oates Vic Open.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ