... Fairmont Resort, St. Andrews
Aussie golfer Scott Hend has never been one to take a backward step in his career and this again is mirrored in his defence of the Asian Tour competing last week in England and now this week in Scotland.
Of course, Hend is no stranger to playing golf in the Home of Golf nation that includes two Open Championships at St. Andrews and many Scottish Open and Alfred Dunhill Links showings.
However, Hend has taken exception to the DP World Tour and it’s CEO Keith Pelley over alleged comments against the Asian Tour teeing-up firstly last week at Close House and this week at the Fairmont Resort on the outskirts of St. Andrews.
Both Close House and the Fairmont course are former DP World Tour host venues.
Hend was asked what he thought of the Asian Tour’s decision to take tournaments to England and this week in Scotland.
“It’s doesn’t seem strange the Asian Tour should playing in England and here at St. Andrews but when Keith Pelley threatened one of the board members of the Asian Tour after he indicated we will host tournaments wherever we want what then do you think is going to happen?”, said Hend.
“When a tour like the Asian Tour has the means and the ability to host a golf tournament wherever it wants, then you can have a situation like this week and last week with the Asian Tour hosting events in England and Scotland.
“The Asian Tour is playing here this week in Scotland and it is no different to the DP World Tour now playing in Asia, and if it’s open season then it’s open season.
Historic first with the Asian Tour competing for a first time in Scotland
“The Asian Tour would not have come here to Scotland had not the DP World Tour began staging tournaments in Asia, so we’ll just have to see what happens from here.”
Hend cited the staging for a first time earlier this year of DP World Tour events having taken place in Japan and South Korea, and for many years the destination for the Asian Tour.
“It is clear that the DP World Tour through its agreements in place with the PGA Tour that has seen the Asian Tour being shut out of competing in Japan while they’re trying to shut the Asian Tour out of Korea,” said Hend.
“Personally, I feel it’s a little bit strange that people can complain about the Asian Tour coming to Europe when we’re seeing the DP World Tour playing across Asia.
“My view is that some tours think they can boss other tours and while the Asian Tour is a strong member of the Federation yet they wish to destroy and ignore the rules of the Federation.
“As well, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, and myself having played on both tour’s, seem to the have the attitude the smaller the tour the more than can to do to rule over the smaller tour.
“The thing is there is so many players here this week competing in Scotland who would never have the opportunity to play in Scotland and at the Home of Golf without this move on the part of the Asian Tour.
“It’s a great experience and eye-opener for those players. It’s also good for professional golf to have this experience.”
Hend has played 316 events on the DP World Tour since making his debut over 20-years ago in late 2000 at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand, and won that year by Tiger Woods.
Hend’s enjoyed three wins, four seconds and 21 other top-10s, earning some Euro 15m in prizemoney.
His best season being 2016 winning in Thailand, runner-up at the Omega European Masters in September that year and then sharing fourth a week later at the KLM Open.
Hend had three other top-10s that season, resulting in his biggest earning year of some Euro 1.26m in DP World Tour prize-money.
It’s been as a member of the Asian Tour that Hend has really stamped his enormous class capped in that same 2016 season when he became the first Australian to capture the Asian Tour Order of Merit title thanks to two victories that year.
The renowned long hitter has won 10 times on the Asian Tour since his breakthrough triumph 15-years ago next week in capturing the 2008 Pertamina Indonesia.
In winning a 10th title in March 2019 Hend become the second-highest earning player on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Just recently, Hend turned 50 and revealed he’s looking forward to a new chapter in his already illustrious golfing career.
Hend revealed he will tee-up in his first European Legends Tour event at the September 15th commencing Winston Golf Open in Hamburg, Germany.
“I am also seeking find out information about entering Q-School for the PGA Seniors Tour and if do enter, we’ll just wait and see what happens,” he said.
“I still love playing touranment golf, and I want to keep playing golf for as long as I possibly I can.
“I turned 50 last week and I want to win more tournaments”.
