New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier finds form at KLM Open
Daniel Hillier – file photo Getty Images / European Tour
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier has reversed some rather ordinary recent DP World Tour form having missed his last three cuts and recorded a best of 23rd in ten starts in 2023, and at the halfway mark of the KLM Open in Cromvoirt in the Netherlands, the 24 year old two-time New Zealand Amateur Champion is alone in 3rd place and three shots from the lead of Spain’s Jorge Campillo.
Hillier is playing his first season as a cardholder on the DP World Tour but despite his significant talent has been unable to fully find his feet at this level. A second round of 67 over the Bernardus Golf layout, however, might be the catalyst for something considerably better.
“It’s a bit of a shock really,” said Hillier. “I haven’t had my best stuff the last few weeks but I guess that’s the nature of the game, you’re never really as far away as you think. It was nice to play some solid stuff out there today. I had a couple bonuses with the hole-out on 18 and a couple of really close ones as well so it was a really good day.
“It was definitely playing a little bit more conservative out there. Not so much off the tee but definitely coming into the greens. You just can’t miss it in the wrong spot with the course firming up and the greens being quite undulating. You get some pretty funny bounces. I’m just trying to play some smart golf out there and take my chances.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of nerves out there first thing tomorrow but I’ve played in the final group a couple of times in the past and done okay, so hopefully I can just go out there and play my game. I’ve just got to keep telling myself my game is good enough and just trust my game-plan.”
Campillo leads by two over Italy’s Renato Paratore, Campillo a winner earlier this year in Kenya.
Blake Windred was the only Australasian in the field but missed the cut.
