Kiwi golfer Michael Hendry receiving treatment for leukemia

(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand golfer Michael Hendry will miss this year’s British Open while receiving treatment for leukemia.

Hendry, who has won tournaments on the Australian and Japan tours and most recently won the Vic Open in Australia in February, was diagnosed with leukemia in April.

He has undergone one course of chemotherapy and is in remission. The 43-year-old said he has a “90%” chance of a full recovery.

Hendry expects to have three more cycles of chemotherapy and will be back in Auckland Hospital from Monday.

“The last six weeks have seen me in hospital undergoing treatment to try and rid myself of the disease,” he said in a social media post. “I have a long battle ahead of me.

“This is the fight of my life, a fight for my life, but one I am determined to win.”

Hendry had qualified for the British Open and was due to play the tournament for the third time. But he said while his prognosis is good, he likely would relapse if he stopped his treatment.

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Updated May 25, 2023