The two-time European Tour winner and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion finished tied 10thamongst a star studded field at the 2017 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational ahead of his second appearance at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club this week.
The Fiji International, which is tri-sanctioned for the first time this year by the European Tour, the Asian Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, rounds off a busy two months for the Queenslander.
Hend said: “It’s been a big few weeks for me playing The Open Championship, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and then the PGA Championship this weekend, before the Fiji International.
“I’m looking forward to playing at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course in the relaxed atmosphere Fiji is renowned for.
“It’s also my first chance to get back to playing an event on the Asian Tour in a while so hopefully I can get a good result and start climbing their Order of Merit rankings again this year.”
Hend is the latest addition to a field that includes three former Masters Tournament Champions – Angel Cabrera of Argentina, Fijian golfing legend Vijay Singh and Canada’s Mike Weir, as well as a host of European and Asian Tour professionals, many of whom are making their first appearance at the tournament, which is now in its third year.
With nine Asian Tour wins in addition to his two European Tour titles, Hend has played alongside the majority of the field in the past, and expects a tough contest at the re-designed Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.
Hend added: “A lot of the young guys have a lot of potential, and throw in the three Major Champions Vijay, Mike and Angel, and it’s going to make for a really competitive week. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Honourable Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism welcomed Scott Hend to Fiji for the first time.
He said: “We’re delighted to welcome a player of Scott Hend’s calibre to Fiji. He will no doubt be a draw for golf fans in Fiji following his recent performances overseas and we look forward to hosting Scott and his fellow players at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.”
