Deja vu: Scott Hend and Anirban Lahiri battle it out as Macao Open heads for home
Pair have shared the spoils at the past two editions of the event – Hend winning in 2013, and the Indian lifting the trophy last year
Scott Hend brushed off a suggestion he might be contemplating a little payback as play turns for home in the US$1 million Venetian Macao Open with the Australian holding a three-stroke lead over rival Anirban Lahiri.
The pair have shared the spoils at the past two editions of the event at the Macau Golf and Country Club – Hend winning in 2013, and the Indian lifting the trophy last year.
No revenge. There’s plenty of tournaments out there. It’s not about revenge. All it’s about is rewards – a different ‘r’ word
Hend had a chance last year to force a play-off with Lahiri but watched on with horror as his par putt on the last lipped out. That meant a tie for second with Thailand’s Prom Meesawat but the Australian said there were no thoughts brewing about getting one back on his good friend Lahiri.
“No revenge,” laughed Hend. “There’s plenty of tournaments out there. It’s not about revenge. All it’s about is rewards – a different ‘r’ word.”
Hend was certainly rewarded for his perseverance on Saturday when he drained a 30-footer from the edge of the green for an eagle three on the last that saw him in the clubhouse at 15-under 198 with a round left to play.
The 42-year-old had picked up an eagle on the par-five second to kick-start his day, and followed that with birdies on three and four, but seemingly got the wobbles soon after with bogeys on five and seven. Seems there was good reason for the stumbles.