"It was bloody terrifying" - Mike Hendry details overcoming deadly disease to compete in The Open Championship 2024

Mike Hendry of New Zealand has been granted a medical exemption for the upcoming Open Championship 2024. The fourth PGA Tour Major will be played at Royal Troon from July 18 to 21, 2024.

Mike Hendry qualified for the 2023 Open Championship last year after finishing as a runner-up at the World City Championship in Hong Kong. However, he couldn't participate in the tournament at Royal Liverpool as he was diagnosed with leukemia last year.

In an interview with iNews, Hendry talked about the first signs of leukemia, he said (via iNews):

"I was playing well at the time. However, I started feeling run down out of nowhere but I just put it down to playing a lot. It felt like I had a cold. Sneezing, coughing and the like. But I got progressively worse. I had no energy. I was either in bed or on a couch. I was sleeping about 18 hours a day which is not like me."

Mike Hendry said that a doctor sent him to a local hospital, from where he was rushed to Auckland for chemotherapy by the same evening where he stayed for six and a half weeks. Hendry further said (via iNews):

"It was bloody terrifying. I was aware of what leukemia was. I was thinking, 'I'm really sick here and I might not live'. It was April 11th. I will never forget that day. I was in this state of not knowing what was really going on. I was in shock. It was all a bit of a blur."

Mike Hendry further said that his illness was rough but he decided to show resilience to his two daughters, Maddison and Harper. He further said that getting an email from the Open motivated him to get better.

Since returning to play after his treatment, Mike Hendry finished fourth in his fifth event at the PGA Tour of Australasia. He has played the Open Championship in 2017 and 2018, and failed to make the cut on both occasions.

A look at Mike Hendry's best performances

Mike Hendry has had 17 professional wins including two on the Japan Golf Tour and four on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Let's take a look at Mike Hendry's best performances after turning professional in 2005:

2017 ISPS Handa New Zealand Open: 1 (Japan Golf Tour)
2015 Token Homemate Cup: 1 (Japan Golf Tour)
2013 NZ PGA Championship: 1 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2019 Australian PGA Championship: 2 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2017 Gate Way to the Open - Mizuno Open: 2 (Japan Golf Tour)
2016 JGT Championship Mori Building Cup Shishido Hills: 2 (Japan Golf Tour)
2016 Fiji International: 2 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2010 Indonesian Open Presented by Enjoy Jakarta: 1 (Asian Tour)
2014 Australian PGA Championship: 4 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2018 Gate Way to the Open Mizuno Open at the Royal GC: T2 (Japan Golf Tour)
2016 Rizap KBC Augusta: T2 (Japan Golf Tour)
2012 ISPS Handa Perth International: 4 (European Tour)
2017 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters: T3 (Japan Golf Tour)
2012 NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship: 1 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2024 For the Players by the Players: 1 (Japan Golf Tour)
2016 BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open: T3 (Japan Golf Tour)
2014 Tsuruya Open: T3 (Japan Golf Tour)
2012 Emirates Australian Open: T7 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2016 Japan PGA Championship Nissin Cupnoodle Cup: 4 (Japan Golf Tour)
2023 World City Championship Presented by Hong Kong Golf Club: 2 (Asian Tour)
2016 ISPS Handa Global Cup: T5 (Japan Golf Tour)
2012 Talisker Masters: T6 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2014 Lexus of Blackburn Victorian PGA Championship: 2 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2013 Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship: 2 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2020 New Zealand Open Presented by Sky Sport: T5 (Japan Golf Tour)
2016 Gate Way to the Open Mizuno Open: T5 (Japan Golf Tour)
2010 Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open: T8 (Japan Golf Tour)
2010 JBWere Masters: T13 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2019 Rizap KBC Augusta: T6 (Japan Golf Tour)
2014 Gate Way to the Open Mizuno Open: T6 (Japan Golf Tour)
2010 SK Telecom Open: 5 (Korean Tour)
2021 Moonah Links PGA Classic: 3 (PGA Tour of Australasia)
2022 Gate Way to the Open Mizuno Open: T6 (Japan Golf Tour)
2017 ISPS Handa Match Play: T7 (Japan Golf Tour)
2016 Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup: T7 (Japan Golf Tour)
2011 Indonesia Open Presented by Enjoy Jakarta: T2 (Asian Tour)
2017 Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup: T6 (Japan Golf Tour)
2013 Gate Way to the Open Mizuno Open: T6 (Japan Golf Tour)
2017 Heiwa PGM Championship: 9 (Japan Golf Tour)
2012 Victorian Open: 3 (PGA Tour of Australasia)

About the author

Rohit is a Golf writer at Sportskeeda who specializes in PGA Tour coverage. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a Master's degree in Global Studies from Ambedkar University, he has always been passionate about writing on varied topics.

Rohit has over 4 years of prior work experience under his belt. He prioritizes thorough fact-checking of every article he pens with the aim of providing readers with the most accurate and insightful content.

Rohit's favorite celebrity sportsperson is Novak Djokovic; he admires his determination in the face of challenges and fighting spirit. Rohit is an avid reader and when he's not busy reading and writing about the latest developments in the vast world of pop culture and sports, he can be seen absorbed by a book. He also loves playing chess.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee