Daniel Hillier back in the Winner's Circle

Story courtesy of NZ Golf

Friday 15 April, 2016

Hillier Wins Australian Junior Championship

New Zealand Amateur Daniel Hillier has won the Australian Junior Championship in dominant fashion today at the Ulverston Golf Club in Tasmania.

Wellington’s finest young talent has yet again produced the goods in what some would call his best yet after winning by an incredible six shots.

Hillier trailed fellow Kiwi Henry Spring by one shot entering the final round, to come home in Tiger-like fashion by making birdies on 16 and 17 to add to his convincing amateur win.

Spring sadly dropped out of contention early, but still can take a lot away from a great campaign across the ditch.

With Hillier’s victory comes the chance to play in the big dance, the Emirates Australian Open. He no idea this was part of the winning package when he waved to the galleries post victory, so was taken aback by the extra achievement. This tournament has seen the world’s best over the past few years including Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott who are likely to return again.

“It’s an amazing feeling, I got told by one of my playing partners that I will have a spot at the Australian Open so it still hasn’t hit me yet simply because I have only known for about 10 minutes,” said an excited Hillier.

“I didn’t know what was going on behind me, which was probably a good thing actually and I just could do what I needed to and to finish the way I did was very pleasing.”

“I was definitely just in the zone, playing safe never crossed my mind, 16 is a tight drive and I stuck to my plan of using driver and pulled it off. The same thing happened on 17 and I just did what I needed to do.”

This victory just adds to the simply amazing year Hillier is having which has included wins at the New Zealand Amateur Championship, New Zealand U19 Stoke Play and the Harewood Open on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour. In March Hillier was also the leading amateur at the BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open in Queenstown so the list is soon becoming endless.

This victory is no doubt sitting near the top of that impressive list.

“I think this is definitely right up there, it’s hard to choose between all the amazing experiences over the last year, but one I will certainly cherish for a very, very long time.”

After a year of consistent success, winning seems to be becoming a habit for the Manor Park man.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a habit, but it’s definitely a feeling that I enjoy and want to keep feeling again and again and again. Once again, I am just so happy with how the week has gone and looking forward to what’s ahead.”

He came third in the same event last year which shows he has obviously built on that experience to take the chocolates in 2016 and for an amateur to build like this is great signs for the future.

Well done Daniel Hiller, well done.