Over the last few years, Daniel Hillier’s life has changed significantly.
In November 2022, the New Zealander earned promotion from the European Challenge Tour. Then, less than a year later, he won his maiden DP World Tour in his rookie season. The victory earned him exemption into The Open.
Almost exactly a year on, he returns to golf’s oldest Major Championship as one of four golfers from New Zealand in the field for The 152nd Open at Royal Troon.
Unlike on his two previous appearances at the Open Championship, he does so this week with his family in town on the west coast of Scotland. Following on from last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, it’s the first time ever that Hillier has had his parents and sister come over to Europe from his homeland. With his fiancée Siobhan, who he proposed to earlier this year also with him this week, support is not in short supply.
“This is the first time my parents and sister have all been out to Europe from New Zealand, so for it to be during such a great time in the golf calendar is making for an awesome experience,” he tells the DP World Tour.
“Being able to share experiences like The Open with them is exciting.
“They remain with me through until the end of the Olympics so it’s great to share a few weeks with them.”
Hillier has been a professional for approaching five years and has relished the opportunity to travel the world doing something he loves, but behind the glamour of the sport there are times of isolation.
“My perspective on the demands of playing a global schedule as we do on DP World Tour while being away from family has changed as I have started to get a little bit older,” he says.
“I’m not 18 years old without any responsibilities anymore. You do think about home a little more and all the things you might be missing out on.
“But I absolutely love travelling as well and playing golf out here in Europe. I consider myself very lucky to be able to do so for a living.”
24 hours until the first tee shot of The 152nd Open. pic.twitter.com/AVZGy6Edxa
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2024
Major weeks are few and far between on the schedule though. They’re as special for players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as they are for a debutant.
While no rookie this week, Hillier is seeking a first this week. In his past three Major starts, which includes an appearance at the U.S. Open as an amateur in 2019, he is yet to make a cut. He is intent on changing that.
“The biggest learning is becoming more accustomed to the bigger environment that a Major generates,” he reflects on his previous experiences among golf’s elite.
“I feel more comfortable on this stage and it’s now a case of when I arrive ensuring I do the right things to prepare, mentally and physically.
“Once I am out on the golf course, I then just try to treat it like any other event. If I play well, there is no reason why I shouldn’t be able to compete.”
By his own admission, it’s been a difficult campaign on the DP World Tour in 2024. After a successful 2023 in which he won the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo to help him finish as the leading Challenge Tour graduate on the season-long rankings, he is awaiting his first top ten of the campaign this year.
“Expectation is always something that catches people out. It can be easy to start getting ahead of yourself.
“You have a few good results and naturally the expectations do tend to rise a little bit.
"Golf is a funny game. Even though I haven't been playing my best stuff lately, I just need to keep my head down and keep doing all the right things.”
As the eyes of the golfing world fall on Royal Troon, Hillier joins countrymen Ryan Fox, Kazuma Kobori and Michael Hendry in teeing it up in the 158-player field.
It’s the first time since 2009 at Turnberry that there have been four Kiwis competing at The Open. As such, to mark the occasion, the quartet played a practice round together earlier in the week. And for Hillier, there is one member of the group who has played a key role – almost like a mentor – in helping his ongoing development.
“Foxy has always been great,” he explains. “I’ve been able to rub shoulders with him quite a bit over the last two years.
“He’s obviously been out here for a long time so to pick his brains has helped.”
Foxy has obviously been out here for a long time so to pick his brains has helped
With a debut appearance at the Olympic Games in France – alongside four-time DP World Tour winner Fox – to come over the next few weeks, Hillier is hoping The Open can inject some momentum into his season.
“When I look back on my past few years, it has been the same and I have managed to turn it around pretty quickly,” he says.
“You never know when your game is going to click. I feel like I am doing all the right things and the game has been in decent shape the last couple of weeks without the results truly showing.
“Hopefully I can put all the pieces together at the right time. This week presents another big opportunity for me.”
