Hillier and Smylie close to lead in China
Daniel Hillier – file image courtesy of Photosport / NZ Open
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier and Australian Elvis Smylie have both staked claims for a second DP World Tour title near the halfway mark of the Hainan Classic on the resort island of Hainan off the southern coast of China.
Hillier completed a second round of 70 to be in a share of second place and just two off the lead in the weather, then darkness affected event, while Smylie, who will finish his second round on Saturday morning, is tied with Hillier although he has four holes remaining to potentially challenge for the halfway lead.
Hillier won his first DP World Tour event when he was successful at the British Masters in 2023, while Smylie, who topped the recently completed PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, won the Australian PGA Championship late last year.
Hillier has continued to play consistently, making his last 16 cuts in DP World Tour events and in the New Zealand Open those performances including a runner-up finish at the Dubai Desert Classic earlier this year.
After winning the Australian PGA Championship, Smylie finished 5th at the Australian Open and played well enough for the remainder of the Australasian Tour to consolidate his position at the top of the Order of Merit. He finished 15th in last week’s China Open.
This week’s event carries a total purse of US$2.25 million.
