Daniel Hillier Finishes Tied for Third in Northern Ireland

Daniel Hillier at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management Day Two (European Tour)
Daniel Hillier at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management (European Tour)

England’s Daniel Gavins carded a bogey-free 65 to come from seven shots back and win his first European Tour title at the 2021 ISPS HANDA World Invitational while Kiwi Daniel Hillier, who had the lead briefly on the final day, has finished tied for third on 11-under.

As overnight leader Jordan Smith and David Horsey moved in the wrong direction, Gavins holed two putts of over 50 feet on the back nine to get to 13-under and win by one shot from Horsey, who carded a closing 72.

Smith and Daniel Hillier, who had both been in the lead on Sunday, were at 11 under alongside Spaniard Alejandro CaƱizares and Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura.

Hillier had put a pitch to two feet at the first but gave the shot back on the fourth after finding the water before putting a tee shot to 12 feet at the seventh. A two putt birdie on the tenth looked to keep him in contention but he was soon in a tie for the lead.

Hillier dropped out of the lead after a poor tee shot on the 16th and a three putt on the next meant a birdie on the last would secure the title for Horsey.

But the Englishman sent his tee shot a long way left, losing his ball and dropping a shot to hand Gavins the trophy.

Daniel Gavins of England poses with the trophy following his victory during the final round of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort on August 1, 2021 in Ballymena, United Kingdom. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images) Supplied by European Tour
Daniel Gavins of England poses with the trophy following his victory during the final round of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort on August 1, 2021 in Ballymena, United Kingdom. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images) Supplied by European Tour

Englishman Smith carded a closing 74 and Kiwi playing partner Hillier got round in 70, with Kawamura securing a second consecutive top five with a 69, two shots more than CaƱizares.

Hillier secured his biggest paycheck so far with $74,000 NZD coming his way in only his second European Tour event.

It is Hillier’s best performance since being on the European circuit for three months and will next week head back to the Challenge Tour with the next event in Finland.

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