Hend fends off bad memories and poor weather to win title

The melancholy that had been weighing him down since February would have lingered on but for Sunday.

Up with a two-shot lead till the eighth hole, Scott Hend's hopes had met a watery end on the final day at the season-opening Myanmar Open.

The quadruple bogey on the ninth not only thwarted the anticipation of ending a four-year-old title drought on the Asian Tour, it was the confidence that was hit hardest.

Dragging his feet, the worn out clubs in tow, he went through the motions over the next few weeks, traversing through Philippines and India before landing in Bangkok for The Open Championship International Final Qualifying - Asia.

The failure to make the play-off by a shot caused something to snap within and he retreated to his abode in Florida.

Transformation
"I realised my game wasn't up there," was the observation. Had he been told that a month later he would be striking poses by the 18thgreen of the Orchid Country Club, trophy in hand, the impatient Aussie would have snapped hard.

Once home, reuniting with his wife and twin sons, Aston and McLaren, helped ease the pain but the fierce competitor in Hend used the break to chalk out a comeback.

Getting himself a set of new clubs, barring the putter and driver, not a day passed without the 39-year-old hitting at least 400 balls at the range.

The spirit and craft rejuvenated, Hend arrived for the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic, but sans expectations.