Aussie Scott Hend has put him in position to not only capture a 19th pro career success but also a maiden victory in the United States.
Incredible as it may sound but the 52-year-old is yet to secure a victory in land of the Stars and Stripes.
He could do that this weeekend sharing the lead as he does in the Seniors PGA Championship being staged on the Concessions course at Bradenton in Florida.
Hend was out in the first group on day two posting eight birdies in a best of the day seven-under 65, and moving to 10-under ahead of being joined by American Brian Gay.
AUSSIE PRIMED FOR A MAIDEN TRIUMPH…
Affable Scott Hend has enjoyed 19 around the globe but yet to savour success Stateside
That could hopefully all change @seniorpgachamp
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PGAT
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Three players – South African Retief Goosen and the American duo of Ben Crane and in-form Stewart Cink – share third place at eight-under.
Hend was the first out on day two and capped his round with a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th hole and then back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17.
“It was a good day“, said Hend. “I like the golf course. Greens are putting nice. Obviously I was fortunate enough to be first group out this morning, so no wind, perfect greens for the first nine. It was an ideal position to shoot a good score.“
Looking at Hend’s golfing CV the proud Aussie has tasted success not only in his beloved Australia but all over Asia thanks to 10 victories on the Asian Tour while he has also enjoyed three wins in co-santioned European Tour/Asian Tour sanctioned events. He enjoyed victory back in 2002 on the Canadian Tour.
Since turning 50 in 2023 he’s also won three times on the European Legends Tour.
Yet, Hend has yet to win in the United States though going close two years ago in sharing fourth place on his 2024 Seniors PGA Championship debut.
“I want to play here full-time on the Champions Tour,“ he added. I’d like to better my performance from my first Senior PGA up in Michigan, and we’ll just do what we can to put some points in the bank and hopefully get some silverware.
“We’ll see what happens. There’s a lot of good players out there. Just have to keep going forward.“
Hend competed on the PGA Tour in 2004 and 2005, having gained his card at qualifying school for both seasons. In 2005, he was the first foreign player to win the ‘Long Drive’ statistic on the PGA Tour.
Since then Hend has competed mostly on the Asian Tour and, as mentioned above, making a very good career of it.
Hend is making his debut this week at the Seniors PGA Championship and surely would dearly love to celebrate with a 19th ‘W’.
