Daniel Hillier had been knocking on the door for a long time. A lot. He won on the DP World Tour in 2023 (British Masters), establishing himself as one of the most reliable and in-form players on the European circuit… but that second major joy kept eluding him time and again. That’s why this Sunday in Queenstown has a different flavour. It was going to taste good anyway. But he has managed to make it taste even better. Today’s achievement is not just another victory.
Hillier has been crowned champion of the New Zealand Open at the Millbrook Resort, the National Open of his home, part of the Asian Tour calendar and one of the most historic tournaments in world golf, established in 1907. He takes one of the peaks of the great crown. He started with a one-shot lead and finished with a 67 (-4) to reach -22 and lift the trophy with a two-shot lead over Lucas Herbert, the Australian from LIV Golf, who also closed with 67.
The victory also comes in an almost cinematic context: Hillier got married last weekend. A wedding gift hard to beat. And, above all, a triumph full of emotion. “I think this is going to be one of the best days of my life forever,” he said afterwards, still with his heart racing. Because the New Zealand Open was that tournament: the one he wanted since he started playing it.
Hillier managed the day with command and calmness, as if he had already erased from his mind the bitter Sundays he has suffered on the DP World Tour. He made a birdie on the 9th to reach -20 for the first time and open up a gap. Then came a bogey on the 10th, the only real stumble, although he reacted immediately: Birdie on the 11th and 12th to regain the cushion and the final blow on the 17th to close the matter without the need for miracles. Meanwhile, Herbert pressed as much as he could, hoping for an opening, but Hillier did not offer him one.
The other big prize of the day: ticket to The Open
Although he missed out on the title, Herbert left New Zealand with what he had come for. This tournament is part of the Open Qualifying Series, and the best non-exempt player earned a place for The Open. Hillier was already qualified for The Open 2026, so the ticket goes to the next: Herbert, who celebrated the achieved goal and, incidentally, dedicated kind words to the champion: “seeing Hillier win the National Open in his second week of marriage, he said, is one of those things that makes you smile.” It will be Herbert’s sixth participation in The Open, a major prize.
A champion with roots in this tournament
Hillier’s history with this Open goes way back. Not only because of his obsession to win it, but also because he already left his mark here as an amateur, winning the Bledisloe Cup (award for the best amateur of the tournament) twice in 2016 and 2018. This Sunday he completed the circle: from the country’s promise to national champion.
Moreover, with his victory he becomes the first New Zealander to win the New Zealand Open in nine years, since Michael Hendry (2017), also at Millbrook. A symbolic drought that today is broken with a name destined for greater things.
The rest: Asian presence in the fight
Behind, Tomoyo Ikemura (67) and local Kerry Mountcastle (71) shared the third place, five shots behind the champion. Ikemura, who came close to victory here three years ago, was one of the highlights in a top-9 with Asian Tour weight, where Travis Smyth (5th) also appeared, and a strong group featuring Charlie Lindh and Wade Ormsby, among the best.
