Just weeks on from making his debut at the Olympic Games, Daniel Hillier is about to realise another first as he prepares to defend a DP World Tour title at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
The New Zealander claimed his maiden DP World Tour victory in dramatic fashion 13 months ago, going eagle-birdie-eagle during a back-nine flourish on the final day to claim a stunning two-shot triumph.
The win capped a stellar rookie season as he went on to emerge as the Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year, finishing 30th on the season-long Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex.
While Hillier is yet to record a top ten so far this season, he registered a confidence-boosting top 20 at The Open Championship last month, before enjoying the honour of representing his country alongside Ryan Fox at Le Golf National at Paris 2024.
He now returns to The Belfry feeling reinvigorated after a few weeks in his homeland, and eager to make a strong start in the opening event of the Back 9 on the Race to Dubai.
"It was weird seeing the poster of my face out in front of the hotel," Hillier said.
"But yeah, it feels great to be back. Obviously coming back and walking around, and you see flashbacks from the year before, and it's all a pretty cool feeling.
"Just come off a nice three-week break. So I'm feeling pretty fresh, and hopefully I can try and recreate some of those memories."
Hillier, who turned 26 shortly before the start of the Olympics last month, may have also bolstered his Major Championship appearance record too earlier this summer but this is a week he has long had in his mind.
“I am just trying to soak it up, really,” he added. “It's been a pretty big year, and I've been looking forward to this event for a while now.
“And you know, now that I'm back here, I can sort of soak it up and relive some of those memories of last year.”
Hillier will tee up alongside Thriston Lawrence of South Africa and Denmark's Rasmus Højgaard in the opening two rounds.
