Stuff news article.
Last updated Saturday 18th January 2025.
An incredible final-hole eagle has shot Daniel Hillier up to second at the lucrative Dubai Desert Classic.
The New Zealand golfer is one stroke off leader Ewen Ferguson at 11-under at the halfway point of the DP World Tour event, with the winner of the tournament receiving US$1,530,000 ($2.6 million).
Hillier shot a seven-under 65 in the second round to improve 11 places after wrapping up his round with an eagle on the par-five 18th hole.
The 26-year-old is chasing his second-ever European Tour victory.
Hillier is playing his first tournament of 2025 after a five-week break back home in New Zealand.
He said he was buoyed by his improved second round performance.
“Two very different days of golf. I think day one, striped it off the tee and gave myself a lot of chances. Just a solid round of golf,” Hillier remarked.
“Today a few extra putts went in than I wasn’t expecting. Yeah, it’s nice to see those drop and hopefully they keep dropping.”
Ryan Fox is five shots back from Hillier in a four-way tie for 12th.
Ferguson, a Scot ranked No. 141, shot seven-under 65 and was the unlikely leader by one stroke after the second round of the prestigious European tour event.
Ferguson jumped into the lead courtesy of a huge slice of fortune late in the day at the par-five 18th hole, where he overhit his second shot but saw the ball rebound off a big advertising board and back onto the green, settling five feet from the pin. He holed the eagle putt to move to 12 under for the week.
The past two Dubai Classics have been won by Rory McIlroy.
