Hendriksen retains Classic title at Oake Manor
26/05/2016
Image: Paul Hendriksen collects his trophy from sponsor Neil Mossman
Ivybridge golf manager Paul Hendriksen completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Total Triumph Classic for the second successive year and revealed that success is based on a scientific approach.
A member of the PGA Cup-winning team and the reigning Titlest & FootJoy PGA Professional champion from Plymouth never looks at leaderboards. So he only realised he had beaten the region’s outstanding young player Toby Hunt by one shot as he left the final green following a second four-under-par round of 66 for a 132 total.
“I play against the course rather than other players,” he said, revealing that the 6,200-yard Oake Manor complex near Taunton is one of his favourites. “I can’t see the point in looking at leaderboards. I simply had a score in mind and felt getting into double digits below the card would do the job.
“I love the course for it suits my game. I had a good plan how to play it. It gives lots of birdie opportunities and if the putter works I am able to take advantage of it.
“I study a lot of statistics based on the probabilities of risk-taking. I do a lot of work on Trackman and risk-assess every shot. It’s a psychological part of my game and I felt mentally strong enough to hang on to the lead.”
In fact, he was momentarily overtaken by Hunt, 23, whose eagle at the 15th took him to seven-under-par on his way to a best-of-the tournament 64. Hendriksen later birdied the hole and regained the advantage with his ninth birdie of the contest at the par five 17th.
Hunt, who has started the season successfully in assistants' events said: “I would have been happy with second place at the start. I didn’t miss many fairways and holed the putts when required from inside 12 feet.
“My course management is getting better with more experience and I am not making the occasional sixes or sevens.”
European Tour man David Dixon started the week as favourite but settled for third place two shots off the lead. The Enmore Park player shot two 67s.
He said: “It was steady stuff and I had lots of chances but I didn’t hole many putts. It seems to be the same every time I play here. But it was good preparation for my next two weeks on tour in Sweden and Austria.”
Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) was happy just to complete 36 holes so finishing fourth on 135 was a bonus. He only arrived at Gatwick from Florida 12 hours before his first-round tee-time. He just missed pre-qualifying for the US Open by two shots after suffering from a back spasm that required hospital treatment.
“I got through today by grit and determination,” he said after making five birdies on the front nine. “I’m now having a long rest to recover.”
As first round contenders PGA Cup captain Jon Bevan (Sherborne), Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court) and Ollie Baker (Ridgeway) faltered, others took advantage.
Nick Horrocks (Staddon Heights) leapt through the field with 66 to become the early leader eventually claiming fifth for his highest Order of Merit finish.
Former winner Chris Gill (Newquay) and ex European Tour men Liam Bond (Marriott St Pierre), Andrew Sherborne (Trevose) and Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) shared sixth on 137.
Last year’s Order of Merit winner Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) and Tim Baker (Celtic Manor) were tied 10th after second round 68s.
Taunton and Pickeridge two-handicapper Jason Brock won scratch award with one-under 69 in the amateur event running alongside the professional tournament. Steve Roberts (Dorset Golf and Country Club) won the Division 1 net prize with 68 while home player Jim Greenhow took Division 2 on 65.
