Daniel Hillier Seals First DP World Tour Triumph at British Masters

Daniel Hillier Seals First DP World Tour Triumph at British Masters

Daniel Hillier secured a maiden DP World Tour victory thanks to a two-shot victory at the British Masters.

The 24-year-old New Zealander came back from three shot behind to rally with two eagles and a birdie in the final four holes to card a six-under 66 and claim victory as well as guarantee himself an appearance at this month’s Open Championship.

“I’m gobsmacked,” Hillier said. “I think it’s going to take me a while to process to be honest.

“Early on in the day, I was not feeling it at all. I was a little bit uncomfortable with the driver, didn’t have many chances but obviously knew there were some chances coming in.

“I didn’t think I would take them that well, but I’m obviously pretty ecstatic.

“I’m not going to lie, I was definitely looking at the leaderboard and seeing my name up there and thinking about what it would be like to finish it off, but it’s all a bit of a blur really.”

Overnight leaders Oliver Wilson and Gunner Wiebe finished two shots behind Hillier but have both also secured spots at the Open Championship.

“It’s the major that I’ve adored since I was a kid,” said Wiebe.

“It was on at 6am when I woke up in the morning. I’d watch till 2.30pm, when the coverage ended, and I would go try to hit shots that I saw on TV.

“And it’s also the last major that my dad (Mark) played in 2014 at the same course. That was his 500th career start and it was his final major so to get where he sort of ended his career in a way, that’s pretty special.”

Justin Rose ended the tournament in joint-fourth alongside Scots Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson.

The next event on the DP World Tour is the Made in Himmerland taking place between July 6-9 in Denmark.