Hillier shares 2nd place at British Masters – Kobori 9th
Daniel Hillier – file image courtesy of PGA of America
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier has finished in a share of second place at the Husqvarna British Masters at the Belfry, a timely return to form for the 28-year-old after a run of indifferent form over the last few months.
Hillier took a one-shot lead into the final round of the weather-disrupted event he won previously in 20023, but made a poor start after gaining the lead courtesy of a third-round 69, which had left him one ahead of Spain’s Angel Hidalgo with another five players one shot further back.
A three-putt bogey at the 4th hole was followed soon after by a double at the 6th after driving it into the right-hand penalty area, and he had fallen three shots off the lead, but a homeward nine of 2 under 34 saw him move into a four-way tie for 2nd place and, with it, a cheque for €199,414.
Hillier took a month off after the Open Championship back in New Zealand, and the refresher seems to have worked well given this was his first event back after a disappointing series of events following what had been a great start to the year, which included his New Zealand Open victory.
Hillier’s performance this week will move him 9 places to 11th in the Race to Dubai rankings, opening the possibility of gaining one of the ten PGA Tour cards for 2027 for those finishing in the top ten at the end of the season.
After narrowly missing out on one of those cards last year, Hillier now has several events with big points available, and now that he is back in form, he is eyeing the prospect.
“It’s definitely on my bucket list,” said Hillier, “I just have to play as well as I can and hopefully the results will take care of themselves.”
Hillier’s fellow New Zealander also had a good week with a final round of 66 seeing him jump 16 places to finish in a share of 9th place. It was a good return to form for Kobori, who has also played below his best in recent months, and the finish will move him up 13 places to 71st in the Road to Dubai rankings and earn a cheque for €54,000.
The winner was England’s Joe Dean, whose final round of 63 (the best of the day by three shots) saw him win his first event on the DP World Tour.
