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A week ago he was pumped to be partnering Wade Ormsby as Team Australia at the GolfSixes tournament in Portugal; now Scott Hend will simply be happy to make it to the first tee on time.

Both Hend and Ormsby are making their second appearance at the innovative European Tour event with Hend partnering with Sam Brazel to qualify for the final against Denmark in 2017 while Ormsby and Brazel were defeated by South Korea in the playoff for third and fourth last year.

To be played at Oitavos Dunes in Cascais for the first time, Team Australia has been drawn in the same group as France, Wales and a German women’s team with the top two teams in the group to advance to the knockout stage.

But for Hend, merely making it to Portugal has been an adventure in itself.

The Queenslander’s Twitter timeline read like the script for every professional golfer’s idea of a horror movie with missed flights, missed connections and endless hours spent lining up in international airports.

Two weeks ago Hend was left without his bags for two days and then was slugged another $1,200 to return home early to Florida after missing the cut at the Made in Denmark tournament.

Next week is the real deal in Portugal partnering with @wadeormsby in the @GolfSixes…. #GoAussies #TeamAustralia #Watchus @privateestatefx @RaimondiGolf @EuropeanTour ⛳️‍♂️ #Smokenit #Lookout #BOOM pic.twitter.com/wTcCosZDwQ

— Scott Hend (@hendygolf) May 31, 2019

But the journey back to Europe was where the trouble really began.

A direct flight from Philadelphia to Lisbon was re-routed through Heathrow in London, adding essentially an extra day of travel time that Hend had not accounted for.

Upon arrival in London, Hend was unable to make the connecting flight to Portugal which will mean that he arrives at the course on the eve of the tournament and with little time to become familiar with the layout.

In spite of all the travel anguish, Hend was able to maintain both perspective and his sense of humour.

“Flights have been good once going…. it’s the going and the baggage that has sucked,” Hend posted in a response on Twitter.

“All part of it… Wouldn’t have it any other way. Keeps the blood pumping,” he added in a separate response.

The other Aussies in action in Europe this week are Ben Eccles and Jordan Zunic who are playing the Challenge Tour’s Swiss Challenge in Lucerne, Switzerland and Peter Fowler and Peter O’Malley at the Arras Open Senior Hauts de France on the Staysure Tour.

Well this re route has messed up my plans for tomorrow with @wadeormsby. I was intending to be coming in hot, all jacked up on Mountain Dew and smash the course apart with my partner. Guess I’ll be jacked up on English Breakfast from BA instead. @EuropeanTour @GolfSixes ⛳️‍♂️‍♂️

— Scott Hend (@hendygolf) June 4, 2019

The PGA have today announced Scott Stallings and Brendon de Jonge as inclusions for the upcoming Australian PGA Championship.

In what promises to produce a week of outstanding competition, Stallings and de Jonge add to a strong international field contending for the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

Stallings, a three time PGA TOUR winner, had his most recent success at the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open in January.

Stallings finished one shot clear of Aussies Jason Day and Marc Leishman to claim victory in a stunning performance that saw him shoot seven birdies in the final round, including one on the 18th.

The win catapulted Stallings from 166th to 10th in the FedExCup rankings.

“Aussies love their golf and it’s a great opportunity to play one of Australia’s oldest tournaments,” said Stallings.

“To win would be incredible.”

Stallings best Major finish was in 2012 where he tied for 27th at the US Masters.

At the age of 12, Stallings quit playing other sports to focus on golf after watching Tiger Woods dominate the field at the 1997 US Masters.

Also accompanying Stallings at this years Championship will be Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge.

Ranked at 79, de Jonge, a 2013 Presidents Cup debutant, had two top-10 finishes in 2014 on the PGA TOUR, made 24 (of 31) Tour cuts and secured over US$1 million in prize money.

“I’ve heard great things about playing on the Gold Coast and I’m looking forward to playing the Australian PGA Championship.” said de Jonge.

Earlier this year, de Jonge, shot a second round 62 at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club to equal the course record, which he now jointly holds with Rory McIlroy.

“PGA TOUR winners always excite Australian golf fans,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia.

“The inclusion of Stallings and de Jonge adds depth to our field of international talent.”

This will be the first time both de Jonge and Stallings have played the Australian PGA Championship.

De Jonge and Stallings join US crowd favourite and three time PGA TOUR winner, Boo Weekley, along with defending champion and World Number 2, Adam Scott.

John Senden, Steven Bowditch, Marc Leishman and Brendan Jones will also feature alongside former Championship winners, Robert Allenby, Greg Chalmers, Peter Lonard and Daniel Popovic.

The Australian PGA Championship is the final tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia Order of Merit calendars.

Tickets for the 2014 Australian PGA Championship are on sale at www.ticketek.com.au with children 16 years and under admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Members of RACV, RACQ, NRMA, RAASA, RACWA, RACT, RANT and NZAA will receive a 50 per cent discount off the standard PGA gate price when they show their membership card during Championship week.

Visit the Australian PGA Championship website at www.pgachampionship.com.au for further details.

The 2014 Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th December.

The tournament is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Tourism, RACV Royal Pines Resort, RACV, Emirates, Coca-Cola Amatil, Stella Artois, Amadio Wine, TAG Heuer, APN Outdoor and Srixon and will be broadcast domestically by the Seven Network.

The Championship is managed by the PGA with the assistance of TRP Sports.

Click here to view the full 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule.