At the event held at Dubai Creek Resort, Hillier’s bogey-free closing round propelled him up the leaderboard and saw him end the week alone in second place on 9-under par, narrowly missing out on the title as Elvira held firm down the stretch to win by a shot.
After opening the final round a few strokes off the lead, Hillier put together a near-flawless performance that featured four birdies and no dropped shots, giving him strong momentum as the day unfolded.
His performance put him firmly in the frame as the leaders exchanged blows on the back nine, with five players tied at 9-under before the dramatic closing stretch.
His runner-up result in Dubai follows a string of strong showings late last season — including a runner-up finish at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic and top-ten finishes at the Abu Dhabi Championship (T5), BMW Australian PGA Championship (T5), Crown Australian Open (T6), Hainan Classic (T9) and the DP World India Championship (T9) — and confirms that Hillier’s game is in excellent shape heading into one of the biggest weeks on the calendar for a Kiwi professional.
Hillier — one of New Zealand’s top male pros — has spoken in the past about what the national Open means to him, noting how special it is to compete at home in front of supporters, family and friends. As a multiple DP World Tour winner and a key figure in New Zealand golf, a title at Millbrook Resort would not only be a personal milestone but also a chance to help end a nine-year drought for Kiwi champions at the event.
Hillier’s poised performance in Dubai — combining steady ball-striking with clutch scoring — will give him both confidence and rhythm as he returns to the Southern Hemisphere for his home Open. In a season that already shows a clear upward trajectory, the New Zealand Open offers him a chance to cap that rise with a cherished national title and another highlight on his professional resume.
