Australasians well placed at Dubai Desert Classic
Daniel Hillier – file photo courtesy of Photosport / NZ Open
All seven of the Australasians who began the Hero Dubai Desert Classic have made the weekend. For three or four, their expectations for the final 36 holes of the US$9 million event are now considerably higher.
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier leads the way, the 26-year-old Wellingtonian just one shot off the pace held by Scotland’s Ewen Fergusson after rounds of 68 and 65.
Hillier is playing this event for the third occasion, but having missed the final day in 2003 and the weekend last year his start represents quite a turnaround in fortunes at the Emirates Golf Club.
Hillier, who is in his third season on the DP World Tour after graduating from the Challenge Tour in 2002, has already won a flagship event in Europe when successful at the 2023 British Masters and this offers a chance for a perhaps even more lucrative breakthrough
“Two very different days of golf,” said Hillier. “I think day one, striped it off the tee and gave myself a lot of chances. Just a solid round of golf. Today a few extra putts went in than I was expecting. Yeah, it’s nice to see those drop and hopefully they keep dropping.
“I feel I definitely had a good break. Had four and a half, five weeks at home. Sticks didn’t come out very often to be honest but I usually need it around that time of the year. It’s just nice to hang out with family and friends and get right for the season.”
Three shots further back but in a share of 3rd place is West Australian Jason Scrivener who has played well here on occasions and likes the layout.
“I love it here,” said Scrivener. “I’ve had mixed results. Yeah, I think it’s a course that suits me. I’m generally a straight driver, and if I can roll a few putts in, really does suit me.”
Scrivener has struggled in Europe the last couple of years after one or two good seasons but indicated that things might be about to change in that regard.
“Last year I got sick a couple of times. Two kids probably changed life a little bit, as well.
“So it’s been nice to step away from the game a little bit. But now I’m kind of re-invented myself in a way and enthusiastic to improve and get back to where I was.”
Min Woo Lee is just one shot further back in a share of 7th place, now with the services of Shane Lowry’s former caddy.
A double bogey at his final hole was a disappointing finish to an otherwise impressive round of 66 by Lee which included an outward nine of 6 under 31.
Ryan Fox and David Micheluzzi are at 6 under and six shots from the lead in a tie for 12th, Micheluzzi unable to match the brilliance of his opening round of 65 which had given him a share of the lead after dropping four shots in four holes early in his back nine.
Adam Scott and Elvis Smylie are at 2 under and in a share of 44th place.
