Ryan Fox and Michael Hendry will spearhead the Kiwi assault at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, both coming off standout seasons in 2017.

Hendry became the first New Zealander to win their home Open since Mahal Pearce in 2003 which he followed up with a second place finish in the Japan Tour’s Gate Way to The Open – The Mizuno Open, enough to see him make his major debut at the 146^th Open Championship.

While he finished outside the top-24 at last year’s ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, Hendry said he enjoyed the concept which puts a twist on a regular 72 hole stroke play tournament.

“I really enjoyed it, unfortunately I didn’t make the match play aspect last year and played only three days of the four so I couldn’t really get a players perspective from the match play side of things,” said Hendry.

“I think any time you can innovate and create new interest in the game it’s got to be a good thing regardless if it’s successful or not it’s created interest and that’s what we need.

“There was potentially a few teething problems the first time around from my perspective, the organisers may feel completely different about that but I think any time a little bit of hype and interest can be built around golf is a great thing.”

Hendry however did get his match play fix during the Japan Tour’s ISPS HANDA Match Play Championship where he reached the quarter finals.

He said the added extra pressure of match play is something he thoroughly enjoys and hopes to go deep in to the tournament at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

“I was fortunate enough to play another ISPS HANDA Match Play event in Japan last year which I really enjoyed and tied for seventh so I got pretty deep in to that tournament and really enjoyed the match play aspect of it.

“It just puts that added pressure on to every single putt and I really enjoy that aspect of it so hopefully I can get in to the top-24 on Sunday and be in the mix.”

Fox, the highest ranked New Zealander at World Number 126, enjoyed a career year in 2017 where he cracked the World top-100 and played in two Majors but was a whisker away from making the top-24 at last year’s tournament.

He was part of a playoff on Saturday to decide the final qualifiers and lost the final place in the top-24 to teenage Thai sensation Phachara Khongwatmai who eventually finished runner-up in the tournament.

“I just missed out on the match play in the playoff and looking back on that, it provided some excitement on a Saturday afternoon and the crowd doesn’t get that type of golf until a Sunday afternoon normally,” said Fox.

“Hopefully I can do a little better and make that match play on the Sunday this year, I think it’s good for golf having that different kind of format as well.

“We play so many 72 hole stroke play events something different is always nice.”

Now with a full-time home on the European Tour, Fox is no stranger to teeing it up alongside English stars Danny Willett, Tyrrell Hatton and Lee Westwood who all make their ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth debut next week.

“It’s great for the tournament to have those guys coming over, I played with Danny last year and I’ve played a few holes with Tyrrell, his last couple of years have been fantastic and Lee’s last 20 or 30 years have been fantastic.

“To have the calibre of those guys coming down to support our Tour is a massive bonus for the fans.”

Rounding into form, Fox is currently tied 10^th at the European Tour and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Maybank Championship in Malaysia while Hendry fired an opening round of 1-under the card at the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia’s Oates Vic Open.

For just a $25* general admission fans can watch Danny Willett, Brett Rumford, Tyrrell Hatton, Lee Westwood and others in action in the innovative ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth. While children aged 16 years and under enter free of charge.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.com.au.

Corporate hospitality options are available including the popular West Cape Howe Wines Terrace and BDO Super Suite.

The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth event is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA.