Exciting weekend ahead for Daniel Hillier in Dubai
Daniel Hillier – file image courtesy of Photo Sport NZ / NZ Open
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier is continuing his impressive late-season form and finds himself in a share of second place at the halfway stage of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeira Golf Estate in Dubai.
Hillier added a second round of 68 to his opening 67 and, along with four others, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose, is three shots from the lead held by Nicolai Hojgaard.
Coming off a 5th-place finish in Abu Dhabi last week and a 9th-place finish in India a couple of weeks earlier in an event where he let a late lead slip, Hillier is projected to jump 5 places to 12th in the Race to Dubai should he maintain his standing over the final 36 holes.
“Obviously, a little bit of a slow start,” said Hillier, referring to his opening bogey on day two. “Yeah, I don’t think I made a par through the first four holes or something. Still trying to find footing. Yeah, did that pretty well in the end. Played pretty solid for the remainder of the round, and yeah, happy with the scores. On to tomorrow.”
Another possibility for Hillier is the prospect of a PGA Tour card for next season, should he finish inside the top ten in the Race to Dubai rankings of those not otherwise qualified for the PGA Tour, a feat his fellow New Zealander Ryan Fox achieved two years ago.
Hillier began the week two spots out of the top ten in that category and has now advanced inside, but is likely to need a top eight finish this week at worst if he is to be on his way to the US next season.
“Yeah, for me, I’m in a pretty lucky position where even if I don’t get it, I get to spend another year out here on the DP World Tour,” added Hillier. “It would be amazing getting a PGA TOUR, but I love playing in Europe as well. Regardless, I’m pretty happy with the year. Yeah, that PGA TOUR card is going to be a bonus anyway.
Hillier’s fellow New Zealander, Kazuma Kobori, who is in his rookie season on the DP World Tour and has done well to make it into this elite field, is in 21st position this week, while Australia’s Elvis Smylie improved after a slow start for a round of 68 to be 35th.
