stuff.co.nz news article
Last updated Monday 3rd July 2023.
New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier produced a stunning finish at the British Masters to claim his maiden DP World Tour title.
Hillier shot a final round 66 at The Belfry on Sunday (Monday NZT), including eagles on the 15th and 17th holes, to finish on 10-under-par for the tournament, two shots clear of nearest challengers Gunner Wiebe and Oliver Wilson.
Englishman Justin Rose and Scottish duo Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson tied for fourth on seven-under.
The victory not only saw Hillier bank a first-prize pay cheque of £468,000 (NZ$970,000), it also booked the 24-year-old Wellingtonian a spot in the British Open at Royal Liverpool later this month.
“I’m gobsmacked. I think it’s going to take me a while to process to be honest,” Hillier said after his extraordinary triumph.
“Early on in the day I was not feeling it at all. I was a little bit uncomfortable with the driver, didn’t have many chances but obviously knew there were some chances coming in.
“I didn’t think I would take them that well, but obviously pretty ecstatic.
“I’m not going to lie, I was definitely looking at the leaderboard and seeing my name up there and thinking about what it would be like to finish it off but it’s all a bit of a blur really.”
Hillier had begun the day three shots off a six-way tie for the lead, but carded a sizzling six-under final round at the tournament hosted by Sir Nick Faldo to launch himself to the top of the leaderboard.
Having reached the turn in 35 strokes after carding two birdies and a bogey on the front nine, Hillier finished with a flourish, shooting an eagle-birdie-eagle from the 15th onwards to open up a two-shot lead.
However, Hillier soon got his round back on track with a 5ft birdie on the ninth before making par on the next five holes.
At that point, Hillier didn’t appear to be in title contention, but then he drained a 40ft eagle putt on the 15th to soar to seven-under.
He followed that up with a superb fairway bunker shot on the 16th that set up a close-range birdie and a share of the lead.
And the Kiwi continued his inspired form at the par-five 17th, launching his second shot to within six feet of the pin before tapping in for his second eagle of the day.
Despite clearing the green with his second shot on the 18th, Hillier managed to save par by sinking an 8ft putt to finish the tournament at 10-under and become the first New Zealander to win the British Masters since Bob Charles in 1972.
“That’s pretty amazing. Obviously he’s New Zealand’s golfing hero so it’s pretty cool to be on the same trophy as him” Hillier said after matching Charles’ achievement.
Hillier later confirmed he had cancelled plans to play in two PGA Tour events in the lead-up to the British Open at Royal Liverpool later this month, the year’s final major.
“Late change of plans but I’m not complaining. It’s going to be a pretty awesome experience playing the Open again so I can’t wait.”
Hillier, who recently recorded top-five finishes at the KLM Open and BMW International, missed the cut on his Open debut in 2021.
