There was five players entered in this week’s Emirates Australian Open just 20 minutes away from being disqualified on the opening day of the event.

The five – Michael Hendry, Aaron Townsend, Ryan Haller, Adam Bland and Paul Spargo – had been delayed in returning to Australia after competing in the Japan Tour Q-School.

New Zealand’s Michael Hendry (left) on a charter flight to the Emirates Australian Open and among five on board to make their first round tee time by just 20 minutes.

The New Zealand born Hendry was desperate to tee up in Sydney as he currently leads the 2012/13 Australasian Tour Order of Merit with the top three finishers to earn starts in next year’s Open Championship at Muirfield.

But thanks to Hendry’s wife, Tara, who is a travel agent, she chartered a private plane to get the five from the Gold Coast to Sydney and on course with 20 minutes to spare.

“It was pretty stressful and we were all pretty upset about it,” said Hendry.

“We all really wanted to play this event and it was crucial to a lot of the guys in terms of keeping cards and other things.

“So we just wanted to get back and thanks to Tara will just managed to get to the Lakes course on time.

“About half an hour before boarding they told us that the flight was delayed by two hours which screwed up all our connections.

“So we had to figure something pretty fast and luckily enough Tara came to the party and somehow managed to get us a charter flight.”

With little sleep and preparation they managed to post solid rounds.

Spargo shot a two under par 70, Hendry and even par 72, Townsend a three over par 75, Haller a four-over par 76 and Bland a three over par 75.

And if Hendry should finish top of the Order of Merit he will as well earn a tee time in next August’s $US 8.5m WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.