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Daniel Hillier leans on patience in final push for PGA Tour card
Henry Lee • October 21st, 2026 2:21 pm
Third-round leader Daniel Hillier would be a hugely popular winner of the NZ Open | Photo: Chris Symes/AAP
In-form Kiwi golfer Daniel Hillier is drawing on last year’s “heartbreaking” outcome as he enters the final stretch of his bid for a 2027 US PGA Tour card.
Hillier, who finished 19 under par, secured a $780,000 payday with his second-place finish on the DP World Tour in India, where the 28-year-old finished two shots behind eventual winner Eugenio Chacarra.
The Wellington-born Golfer won the New Zealand Open earlier this year, and has earned over $2.7 million in 2026 alone.
Hillier currently sits fifth out of ten eligible spots that earn PGA Tour cards for next season, with only three tournaments to play on the 2026 World Tour.
Speaking to Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy, Hillier said he's in a much better position this time around, and will look to use last year's experience to fuel his motivation for the remaining three tournaments.
Daniel Hillier on his NZ Open triumph | Scotty & Izzy
"It was pretty heartbreaking last year not to get it done, but obviously in a slightly better position going into these last couple of events now, which is really cool," the Kiwi said.
"I think the biggest thing for me was just having a bit of patience coming down these last few weeks. I think when I try a bit too hard and try to get too much out of my game, that's when a thing can start to go sideways."
The 28-year-old PGA Tour hopeful believes that if he can continue to play with solid rhythm, nothing will get in his way.
"Obviously, I was in the mix for the tour card but knew that it wasn't solidified,” Hiller said.
“Maybe I was just trying a little too hard at the start of this week. And when I had that start early on, it freed me up a little bit, and I started freewheeling it a little.
"Then once I sort of got into a bit of a rhythm, if I just let go and stop thinking about the card and just focus on my game and hit each shot as well as I can, then there's nothing stopping me from playing well this week.
"I'm glad that I was able to turn that around and finish the way I did to put myself in the position that I am now."
Listen to the full interview below:
