Southland Times News Article.
Last updated Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
The biggest payday of Daniel Hillier’s pro career could be the launching pad for a successful year for New Zealand golf’s rising star.
Hillier – ranked 223rd in the world – won $1.7 million for finishing second in the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic one stroke behind England’s Tyrell Hatton on Monday (NZ time).
He now lies second to Hatton in the DP World Tour standings.
It was the 26-year-old Wellingtonian’s best result since his maiden DP World Tour win at the British Masters in 2023 where he won $1 million and his first top-10 finish since the Open de España in October 2023.
Hillier said it was “bitter-sweet’’ being pipped by Hatton after leading into the final round but his performance had “absolutely’’ boosted his confidence for the 2025 season.
“One of my goals was to get off to a better start than what I did in the last couple of seasons,” he said, adding he had “kind of being playing catch-up in the second half of the year.”
The two-time New Zealand amateur champion felt he “started off solid’’ at the Australian Open in early January where he tied for 23rd and at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa where he finished 24th-equal.
He had started the 2025 season in late November at the Australian PGA Championship where he tied for 43rd.
“To come out here [Dubai] an put on one of my best performance, I’m absolutely stoked,’’ Hillier said.
The 2025 season is only four events old, but Hillier has already earned over $1.9m.
The 2017 and 2018 New Zealand Amateur title holder was a member of New Zealand’s Eisenhower Trophy team in 2018.
He turned pro in 2019, but was largely restricted by the Covid-19 pandemic to New Zealand’s Charles Tour in 2020, which he won.
Hillier was voted the European Challenge Tour’s Graduate of the Year in 2023.
In Dubai, he had had rounds of 68, 65 and 70 before carding a one-under 71 on the final day after four birdies and three bogeys.
He said he “didn’t have my best day” in the final round, “but I fought hard all day just barely gave myself a chance down the stretch. Hats off to Tyrrell. He was pretty solid down the stretch there. He’s class. Well done to him.”
Hatton, 33, said “it feels amazing’’ to win the title.
“I said earlier in the week, this is one of the events that you would like to have on your CV. It’s such an iconic event for the DP World Tour,’’ he told The Associated Press.
“To add my name to the list of the amazing champions that have been before me, andtohavemynameonthattrophynow, it’s a dream come true.’’
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox finished tied for 10th with South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli after an even-par 72 on day four to finish nineup in his first tournament of 2025.
Fox, who completed his first full year on the PGA Tour in 2024, chose to start his season in Dubai after a break with his family. He must complete four European Tour tournaments to maintain status on the second-biggest tour.
After celebrating his 38th birthday today, Fox is moving with his family to the United States and will kick off the PGA Tour season at the Phoenix Open on February 6.
