• Hillier wins British Masters after late burst

    Daniel Hillier British Masters 2 July 2023
    Daniel Hillier
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    Daniel Hillier produced a barnstorming finish to claim his maiden DP World Tour title at the Betfred British Masters.

    After reaching the turn in 35 courtesy of two birdies and a single bogey on the front nine, European Challenge Tour graduate Hillier finished his round with a flourish, going eagle-birdie-eagle from the 15th to open up a two-shot lead.

    The New Zealander suffered a late scare when he cleared the green at the tricky 18th, but he managed to save par there with a nerveless eight-foot putt to finish the tournament on 10 under par.

    With the final group several holes behind him, Hillier had to wait around an hour before finally being able to celebrate a stunning two-shot victory.

    American Gunner Wiebe and Englishman Oliver Wilson were Hillier’s nearest challengers on eight under, with the trio booking their spots at the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

    Englishman Justin Rose and Scottish pair Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson were then in a tie for fourth on seven under, one ahead of Dane Niklas Nørgaard.

    Justin Walters finished as the best-placed South African (T23) on three under after carding 74, with Wilco Nienaber, who shot 69, a further stroke behind.

    Starting the day three shots off the lead, Hillier came agonisingly close to holing his 22-foot eagle putt at the par-five 3rd but instead had to settle for a tap-in birdie.

    The 24-year-old gave the shot back after finding water at the 6th, but did well to limit the damage to just a bogey.

    He bounced back with a five-foot birdie on the 9th before parring each of the next five holes to remain some way off the pace.

    But that suddenly changed at the long 15th as Hillier drained his 40-foot eagle effort to jump to seven under par.

    And he followed that up with a stunning fairway bunker shot on the 16th to set up a close-range birdie, which earned him a share of the lead.

    Hillier kept his foot on the gas at the par-five 17th, launching his second shot to six feet before tapping in the putt for his second eagle of the day.

    Heading down the 18th with a two-shot lead, Hillier sent his second shot from the rough over the back of the enormous green – landing his ball alongside the trophy.

    Knowing he still had work to do to avoid running up a big number, the New Zealander played a well-judged third before saving par from eight feet to give the chasing pack no realistic chance of catching him.

    – Edited report from DP World Tour website

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