Stuff News Article.
Last updated Thursday 7th May 2026.
New Zealand Open champion Daniel Hillier will play his first major tournament in the United States as a professional, after he was confirmed in the field for next week’s US PGA Championship.
Hillier will join compatriot Ryan Fox in a 156-strong field for the 108th PGA Championship which tees off at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, early next Friday (NZT).
The 27-year-old from Wellington qualified by being inside the top-100 on the world rankings. He is currently No 92, and sitting out this weekend’s DP World Tour event the Catalunya Championship in Spain.
It will be Hillier’s sixth appearance in a major and only his second in the United States, after he missed the cut in the US Open when still an amateur in 2019.
His best finish in a major was tied for 19th at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Hillier achieved a career highlight when he won the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort in March, labelling it “the second best day of my life behind my wedding last week”.
His eighth professional win lifted him to 82nd in the world rankings before he took an eight-week hiatus.
“I can’t remember the last time I had a break that long. I felt a little bit antsy at the end of it, I was ready to get back out. There may be a little bit of rust to get rid of but hopefully that doesn’t last too long,” he said on return to action.
Hillier missed the cut at his first two events back on the DP World Tour, the China Open and the Turkish Open last weekend.
The PGA Championship will feature 15 PGA champions, 29 major winners and 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals. The field stands at 154 players, with spots held for the winners of the Myrtle Beach Classic and the Truist Championship, if not already qualified.
Fox, who had his breakthrough PGA Tour victory at last year’s Myrtle Beach Classic, is playing the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow this week as his final leadup to the PGA Championship.
The world No 55 has been in solid form in his last two US tournaments, finishing tied for 16th at the RBC Heritage then tied for 30th at the Cadillac Championship for combined earnings of US$370,000 (NZ$620,000).
Next week will be Fox’s eighth PGA Championship. His best finish was tied for 23rd at Oak Hill in 2023.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler is defending champion, a year on from his five-stroke win at Quail Hollow.
