Daniel Hillier produced an outstanding finish at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo to become the latest Challenge Tour graduate to win on the DP World Tour.
The New Zealander, who went eagle-birdie-eagle from the 15th hole at the Belfry to jump into a two-stroke lead, is the third graduate from the class of 2022 to win on the DP World Tour this year, joining Tom McKibbin and Matthew Baldwin.
Englishman Baldwin won by an emphatic seven strokes at the SDC Championship in March before McKibbin, from Northern Ireland, came out on top at the Porsche European Open at the beginning of June, and Hillier was quick to praise the preparation the Challenge Tour gives those who earn promotion.
“It’s cool to see when we do well,” he said. “I think the Challenge Tour does really well to prepare us for the main tour.
“The talent coming through is pretty good and it’s great to see three winners already this year.
“There’s plenty of camaraderie between us all too. We all worked very hard to get promoted onto the DP World Tour, so now we’re all out here, we want to see each other do well. I saw Matt Baldwin after it was confirmed that I’d won and he was really pleased for me.”
The 24-year-old, who earned promotion as the 2022 Road to Mallorca Number Seven, set the clubhouse lead at the Belfry at ten under par before enduring an hour-long wait to find out if it was enough to secure a maiden DP World Tour win.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking to be honest,” he added. “I just couldn’t convince myself that the job was done because anything could happen. When they told me it was finalised, it was a weight off my shoulders, and I could start to celebrate.”
It has been an exceptional season for Challenge Tour alumni already, with Hillier becoming the 18th graduate to win from 26 events.
