Hend’s length should be of assistance – image Asian Tour
PGA Tour Tour Champions is in Benton Harbor in Michigan this week where it plays its second major of the season, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
Included in this week’s field are 14 Australians and two New Zealanders with several gaining a rare opportunity to play such a significant event and for others the chance to experience a PGA Tour Champions major for the first of hopefully many.
Cameron Percy and Scott Hend will play a PGA Tour Champions event for the first occasion, Percy turning 50 recently after leading the qualifiers at the Tour School late in 2023 and they will be joined by Richard Green, Stuart Appleby, Rod Pampling, Mark Hensby, Greg Chalmers, John Senden, David McKenzie, Michael Wright, Stephen Allan, David Bransdon, Brad Burns, Mick Smith and New Zealanders Michael Campbell and Michael Long.
One notable omission from the field is the current leader of the Schwab Cup and two-time winner already this season Steve Alker. Alker, who won this event in 2022, is in the UK to attend his father-in-law’s funeral.
Hend and Percy will be interesting additions to the field and their reputation as long hitters during their regular tour careers suggests they will have some sort of advantage this week.
Hend went oh so close to winning the New Zealand Open in March and finished 8th at the recent Saudi Open. His performances in what will be his first PGA Tour Champions appearance especially given he has no status on that tour at this stage will be watched with interest.
Having turned 50 recently, Percy can now play regularly on the Champions Tour where he is expected to make his mark. He has not played an event anywhere this season but has produced a steady career on the PGA Tour without winning in 14 years as either a PGA Tour of Korn Ferry Tour member.
Stuart Appleby and Mark Hensby have both performed well this season, especially in recent events for Appleby including a runner-up finish two starts ago.
Hensby made a great start to this season and while his most recent form has not been quite as hot he has been consistent and has shown a capacity to play the big events well at this level including when 3rd at the US Senior Open in 2022.
Richard Green is another to be playing well in 2024 and is one of the more consistent players on the PGA Tour Champions since joining in early 2023.
Mick Smith is an Australian now based in Wisconsin and has earned his place in the field via performances in Club Professional events.
