Michael Hendry wants to make a name for himself in the next three weeks.
The 32-year-old, who next week will combine with Gareth Paddison to represent New Zealand at the World Cup of Golf at Mission Hills in China, is just as excited about playing the BMW NZ Open from December 1-4 in Christchurch.
Hendry, a North Harbour professional, rates the Clearwater Golf Club alongside the best courses in New Zealand and wouldn't be surprised to see a Kiwi win the title for the first time since Mahal Pearce famously won the event at the Auckland Golf Club in 2003.
Hendry, the 2010 Indonesian Open champion, sees the signature event of New Zealand Golf as a real opportunity to add his name to the prized Brodie Breeze Trophy.
"The title is there for the taking,'' said Hendry, who has won three times on the Charles Tour.
"It is not as strong a field as we have seen in previous years for the New Zealand Open when it had co-sanction status [Nationwide Tour] but that is a positive for New Zealand pros as it's an opportunity for more of our players to play on that stage.
"There is a chance there for a Kiwi golfer to make a name for themselves by winning the New Zealand Open and joining some great names who have won that title.''
Hendry is referring to some of the greats of New Zealand and Australia golf; names like Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell, Greg Turner and Aussies Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle and Craig Parry as winners of the New Zealand Open.
He grew up playing representative cricket and played for New Zealand at the Under-19 World Cup but he said winning the New Zealand Open title has been a long-held ambition.
"Every New Zealand golfer grows up dreaming of winning the New Zealand Open and a major championship.
"If it isn't winning the US Open or the US Masters then the title you want to win growing up is your national championship. Winning the NZ Open has been a goal of mine for a long time now and it is definitely something I want to achieve before I hang up my golf shoes for good.''
Hendry, who is currently seventh on the One Asia Order of Merit, has made some adjustments with his equipment and has been working hard on his game. He hopes to peak for firstly the World Cup and then the BMW NZ Open.
"I have been struggling on the greens which is weird as putting is normally a strength of my game,'' said Hendry who missed the cut at last week's Australian Open.
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