KIWI Michael Hendry’s round was the most emotional of the day as he made his Open return after serious illness.

Little more than a year ago Hendry, 44, was diagnosed with leukaemia.

And he was having treatment in hospital when he would have been teeing off at Hoylake.

Yet R&A chiefs extended a special invitation to the New Zealand golfer.

And on Thursday his wife Tara and young children Maddie and Harper were there to watch him shoot 74.

It was the most enjoyable three-over par round of his life.

Hendry admitted: “It was incredible.

“Words can’t really describe how grateful I am, not only to the R&A, but to all of the doctors and nurses who have helped me over the last 12 months.

“It was extremely special.

“This is one thing that really got me through my recovery – to finally be here and teeing it up was extremely special.”

Hendry missed the cut in his two previous Open appearances in 2017 and 2018.

Now he is in remission.

He added: “At no point did I think I wouldn’t play again.

“Even if I was sick, if I was healthy enough, I was going to try and play.”