Wellington golfer Daniel Hillier has made the cut in dramatic fashion at the Scottish Open, after a one-over par second round, to be three-under overall and right on the cut line.
He talks to Adam Cooper about his form on tour ahead of next week's Open Championship, and having just been named to make his Olympic debut in Paris.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
News talks eb on the Illsport Breakfast. It's right on
thirteen past seven. We're very lucky enough now to be
heading to Scotland and chatting with Wellington golfer Daniel Hillier.
An impressive week. He's had finally been signed off for
a debut Olympic appearance in Paris later this month and
the New Zealand's golf team alongside Ryan Fox and Lydia Cob.
But Daniel has just wrapped up round two of the
(00:23):
Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club, just scraping through to
make the cuts. One over par second round to go
with a very impressive four under opening round yesterday, tied
for sixty third and just scraping in. As I said
to Plate the rest of the weekend, Daniel, thanks for
your time as always here on Newstalks. Heb back in Wellington, mate,
and we'll talk us through firstly the last couple of
(00:43):
days you've had there at the Scottish Open.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Cheers Adam.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, it's been pretty pretty hiced a couple of days, obviously,
a long long wait this afternoon refreshing the leaderboard. Just yeah,
the fingers crossed, hoping that I could sneak in for
another couple of days.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
But yeah, first the first.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Round was was pretty clinical, to be fair, It's probably
the best I've played in a while. Just yeah, a
bit of a cold putter, which is you know, that's
that's the way it goes. Sometimes it's not always going
to be hot. But yeah, today was a little bit
all over the show, had a lot of berdies, a
lot of bogies. But yeah, again, like I said, just
just a long afternoon of waiting and pretty happy that
(01:21):
I've got another couple of days to try and climb
up the leaderboard.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Absolutely, so did you how are you feeling in terms
of had your hopes you believed you're done enough to
get through the weekend, and how nervous were you refreshing
the leaderboard and everything?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
To be honest, I wasn't all that confident.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I yeah, I boged the last I wasn't wasn't too
pleased with himself after that, as he could probably imagine.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
And yeah, I mean the conditions were pretty good.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Out there all day, really, and yeah, so didn't didn't
really have my hopes up, But yeah, obviously you never
really know what's going to happen in the afternoon way
when the pressure's on and you know, there's pretty pretty
tough sort of final few holes on that course, so yeah,
anything can happen, and yeah, luckily, you know, yeah it
(02:07):
managed to go my way this time.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
And certainly went your way yesterday. As you mentioned, did
you did you sense a good rounds coming? Had you
done sort of much much prep on the course? What
was behind do you think your success to open the
Scottish Open yesterday?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Yeah, I mean I felt like I did everything I
need to in terms of prep. I mean it was, yeah,
playing relatively easy as far as that golf course can go.
I mean, the conditions were perfect, and yeah, it was
playing a little bit softer than it usually does, and
so yeah, I kind of figured there were going to
be a lot of scores, a lot of those scores
out there, and yeah, I just knew it, knew I
(02:41):
had to be on my game, and yeah, quite thankful
that I had some good ball striking out there. Haven't
really had my best stuff the last the couple of months,
but instead of been the case the last you know,
a couple of seasons really where I've got off to
a bit of a slow start and to come right
halfway through the year.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
And yeah, so I hope that this is a pretty
similar story.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
And yeah, I felt like I had a lot of
good stuff out there, especially yesterday, and still plenty good
stuff today.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
So hopefully it's the start of a decent run.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah. Absolutely, And it is a busy time. We'll talk
Olympics and I know, you know, it's always a tough
one really with the scenes to see process and criteria.
A criteria, isn't it. You're always in the ranking kind
of zone to get nominated for selection. But what was
it nervous right up until that final moment whether the
selection was confirmed for you to head to Paris for
your debut games.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean it's it's obviously golf. Golf is
a tough one in that regard. Obviously, you know, the
ends have their own criteria and and rightfully so, you know,
they want to make sure that everyone they send is
going to be able to represent their country to the
highest standard. And yeah, but obviously with golf it's a
funny game. You know, you're not It's not like most
(03:52):
sports where you know, if you're a powerlifter, you've you know,
you've got your PBS and whatever, records you've set for
yourself and that's typically what you're going to be able
to produce on the day, whereas golf, you know, you
really don't know what's going to happen and there's so
many variables that come with it. And so yeah, I'm
glad that they saw that my recent form isn't really
(04:14):
you know, an indicative of what could happen during the
Olympics week.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
And yeah, I'm really grateful to have that opportunity come
next month.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
How special will it be putting on the black jersey,
being alongside Ryan and Lydia and the key we golf team.
You know, that's that's stuff that dreams are made.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Of, right, Yeah, absolutely, obviously, you know, the Olympics is
the pinnacle for being able to represent your country, and yeah,
I've been thinking about it a lot the last couple
of weeks, and yeah, I'm just going to do everything
I can to enjoy the experience.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
And hopefully, you know, with a couple of big weeks.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Leading into it, I can find a bit of form
and yeah, do my best to bring home a medal
for New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Absolutely. Have you got traveling with you at the moment,
Daniel on the tour. How big do you sort of
support for around you?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Yes, as got a whole lot bigger.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Actually, my my whole family's come over for the first time.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Yeah, ever really outside of New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
It's it's pretty special for having my mum and dad
and my sister, my fiance here supporting me over the
next few weeks. And yeah, so pretty pretty cool to
be able to share.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
The experience of my first Olympics with them.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
And yeah, I know they've they've absolutely loved their time
so far, which is which is always great.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
And yeah, it's going to be going to be a
special few weeks with them for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Oh cool. Has it had a been a little bit appreciative?
They're they're they're they're watching on analyzing every move.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
To be honest, I feel like it's almost giving me
a second wind. I mean, the last couple of months
haven't been easy obviously, Like I said, I haven't had
my best golf off late, But yeah, having them there
and obviously you know, you always want to perform well
in front of a home crowd, and yeah, having their
support here the next few weeks I think has lifted
my spirits And yeah, feeling pretty good about the next
(05:55):
few weeks for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Great, And what is the plan for the next few
weeks between now and the Olympics? How much gold before
you be playing? Is obviously you know, the world Golf's
got a pretty big, congested schedule right up till the Games.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
So next week we are to Troon for the Open Championship,
which is yeah, obviously another pretty cool experience being.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Able to compete in another major.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
And yeah, otherwise after that one, it's a week off.
I'm just going to be chilling out for a few
days before the only ceremony for the Olympics, which is
actually on my birthday, so it'd be pretty cool way
to spend the birthday. Yeah, so giving that whole experience,
and then we'll be we'll be stuck in in Paris
a few days later.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So yeah, very exciting times.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Nice one. And you know, you know about the Open Championship,
you've been there before. Tell us what what you're expecting
based on your form so far, based on how you've
played these last couple of days, how you know what
are you eyeing for a performance at at Royal True?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yeah, I mean I haven't seen the golf course so
I'm not really sure how sort of tailor's to my game,
but yeah, the last the way I've played the last
couple of days, I'm feeling pretty good. Just have to
make sure that, you know, do all the prep work,
make sure I understand the golf course and and what's required,
and then yeah, just let go. And you know, obviously,
if I keep playing the way I have been the
last couple of days, there's there's no reason why I
(07:12):
can't I can't compete, and so yeah, just gonna make
sure I don't set of try too hard. I guess
it's it's very easy to try and do too much,
I think when you're preparing for a major, and so
it's certainly been guilty of that in the past. So yeah,
just try and treat it like any other event. And yeah,
the golf to the talking, I guess.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Yeah, And I said, I'm sure you've got the same
strategy for these last couple of days of the Scottish Open.
Tell us about the Renaissance Club course, So how that
plays for you and what you're hoping to sort of
tick off this last couple of days of your weekend here?
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Yeah, I mean the golf course is great, I've been Yeah,
I mean, I guess the last couple of days it's
been a bit of a false sense security with the
weather we've had.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
I'm sure you know at some point over the next
couple of days it'll show its teeth a bit more.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
But yeah, the way it's playing, there's there's plenty of chances.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
To be your head.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
And you know, I've just been sort of taking advantage
of the part fives. I've been hitting it well Teeda Green,
and so I've been giving myself a lot, a lot
of good birdie chances on those part fives, a couple
of eagle chances as well.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
So you've just got to do that and then yeah, tidy.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Up, tidy a couple more things along the way, and yeah,
hopefully hopefully get the part of going a bit more
as well. If we do that, then hopefully see myself
climb steadily up there leaderboard.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Brilliant mate. Hey, well Dan, you'l really appreciate you chating.
It's always so good having you on our show and
a lot of people here in Wellington. You know, I'm
just so proud of the constant achievements you bring up
and obviously being named to that Olympic squad a special
moment for Wellington as well. So thanks for chatting this
morning mate. All the best for the weekend and the
big few weeks you got ahead. Appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Cool Thanks Adam.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
For more from News Talk said B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
News talks eb on the Illsport Breakfast. It's right on
thirteen past seven. We're very lucky enough now to be
heading to Scotland and chatting with Wellington golfer Daniel Hillier.
An impressive week. He's had finally been signed off for
a debut Olympic appearance in Paris later this month and
the New Zealand's golf team alongside Ryan Fox and Lydia Cob.
But Daniel has just wrapped up round two of the
(00:23):
Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club, just scraping through to
make the cuts. One over par second round to go
with a very impressive four under opening round yesterday, tied
for sixty third and just scraping in. As I said
to Plate the rest of the weekend, Daniel, thanks for
your time as always here on Newstalks. Heb back in Wellington, mate,
and we'll talk us through firstly the last couple of
(00:43):
days you've had there at the Scottish Open.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Cheers Adam.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, it's been pretty pretty hiced a couple of days, obviously,
a long long wait this afternoon refreshing the leaderboard. Just yeah,
the fingers crossed, hoping that I could sneak in for
another couple of days.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
But yeah, first the first.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Round was was pretty clinical, to be fair, It's probably
the best I've played in a while. Just yeah, a
bit of a cold putter, which is you know, that's
that's the way it goes. Sometimes it's not always going
to be hot. But yeah, today was a little bit
all over the show, had a lot of berdies, a
lot of bogies. But yeah, again, like I said, just
just a long afternoon of waiting and pretty happy that
(01:21):
I've got another couple of days to try and climb
up the leaderboard.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Absolutely, so did you how are you feeling in terms
of had your hopes you believed you're done enough to
get through the weekend, and how nervous were you refreshing
the leaderboard and everything?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
To be honest, I wasn't all that confident.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I yeah, I boged the last I wasn't wasn't too
pleased with himself after that, as he could probably imagine.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
And yeah, I mean the conditions were pretty good.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Out there all day, really, and yeah, so didn't didn't
really have my hopes up, But yeah, obviously you never
really know what's going to happen in the afternoon way
when the pressure's on and you know, there's pretty pretty
tough sort of final few holes on that course, so yeah,
anything can happen, and yeah, luckily, you know, yeah it
(02:07):
managed to go my way this time.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
And certainly went your way yesterday. As you mentioned, did
you did you sense a good rounds coming? Had you
done sort of much much prep on the course? What
was behind do you think your success to open the
Scottish Open yesterday?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Yeah, I mean I felt like I did everything I
need to in terms of prep. I mean it was, yeah,
playing relatively easy as far as that golf course can go.
I mean, the conditions were perfect, and yeah, it was
playing a little bit softer than it usually does, and
so yeah, I kind of figured there were going to
be a lot of scores, a lot of those scores
out there, and yeah, I just knew it, knew I
(02:41):
had to be on my game, and yeah, quite thankful
that I had some good ball striking out there. Haven't
really had my best stuff the last the couple of months,
but instead of been the case the last you know,
a couple of seasons really where I've got off to
a bit of a slow start and to come right
halfway through the year.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
And yeah, so I hope that this is a pretty
similar story.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
And yeah, I felt like I had a lot of
good stuff out there, especially yesterday, and still plenty good
stuff today.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
So hopefully it's the start of a decent run.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah. Absolutely, And it is a busy time. We'll talk
Olympics and I know, you know, it's always a tough
one really with the scenes to see process and criteria.
A criteria, isn't it. You're always in the ranking kind
of zone to get nominated for selection. But what was
it nervous right up until that final moment whether the
selection was confirmed for you to head to Paris for
your debut games.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean it's it's obviously golf. Golf is
a tough one in that regard. Obviously, you know, the
ends have their own criteria and and rightfully so, you know,
they want to make sure that everyone they send is
going to be able to represent their country to the
highest standard. And yeah, but obviously with golf it's a
funny game. You know, you're not It's not like most
(03:52):
sports where you know, if you're a powerlifter, you've you know,
you've got your PBS and whatever, records you've set for
yourself and that's typically what you're going to be able
to produce on the day, whereas golf, you know, you
really don't know what's going to happen and there's so
many variables that come with it. And so yeah, I'm
glad that they saw that my recent form isn't really
(04:14):
you know, an indicative of what could happen during the
Olympics week.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
And yeah, I'm really grateful to have that opportunity come
next month.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
How special will it be putting on the black jersey,
being alongside Ryan and Lydia and the key we golf team.
You know, that's that's stuff that dreams are made.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Of, right, Yeah, absolutely, obviously, you know, the Olympics is
the pinnacle for being able to represent your country, and yeah,
I've been thinking about it a lot the last couple
of weeks, and yeah, I'm just going to do everything
I can to enjoy the experience.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
And hopefully, you know, with a couple of big weeks.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Leading into it, I can find a bit of form
and yeah, do my best to bring home a medal
for New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Absolutely. Have you got traveling with you at the moment,
Daniel on the tour. How big do you sort of
support for around you?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Yes, as got a whole lot bigger.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Actually, my my whole family's come over for the first time.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Yeah, ever really outside of New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
It's it's pretty special for having my mum and dad
and my sister, my fiance here supporting me over the
next few weeks. And yeah, so pretty pretty cool to
be able to share.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
The experience of my first Olympics with them.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
And yeah, I know they've they've absolutely loved their time
so far, which is which is always great.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
And yeah, it's going to be going to be a
special few weeks with them for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Oh cool. Has it had a been a little bit appreciative?
They're they're they're they're watching on analyzing every move.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
To be honest, I feel like it's almost giving me
a second wind. I mean, the last couple of months
haven't been easy obviously, Like I said, I haven't had
my best golf off late, But yeah, having them there
and obviously you know, you always want to perform well
in front of a home crowd, and yeah, having their
support here the next few weeks I think has lifted
my spirits And yeah, feeling pretty good about the next
(05:55):
few weeks for sure.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Great, And what is the plan for the next few
weeks between now and the Olympics? How much gold before
you be playing? Is obviously you know, the world Golf's
got a pretty big, congested schedule right up till the Games.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
So next week we are to Troon for the Open Championship,
which is yeah, obviously another pretty cool experience being.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Able to compete in another major.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
And yeah, otherwise after that one, it's a week off.
I'm just going to be chilling out for a few
days before the only ceremony for the Olympics, which is
actually on my birthday, so it'd be pretty cool way
to spend the birthday. Yeah, so giving that whole experience,
and then we'll be we'll be stuck in in Paris
a few days later.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So yeah, very exciting times.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Nice one. And you know, you know about the Open Championship,
you've been there before. Tell us what what you're expecting
based on your form so far, based on how you've
played these last couple of days, how you know what
are you eyeing for a performance at at Royal True?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yeah, I mean I haven't seen the golf course so
I'm not really sure how sort of tailor's to my game,
but yeah, the last the way I've played the last
couple of days, I'm feeling pretty good. Just have to
make sure that, you know, do all the prep work,
make sure I understand the golf course and and what's required,
and then yeah, just let go. And you know, obviously,
if I keep playing the way I have been the
last couple of days, there's there's no reason why I
(07:12):
can't I can't compete, and so yeah, just gonna make
sure I don't set of try too hard. I guess
it's it's very easy to try and do too much,
I think when you're preparing for a major, and so
it's certainly been guilty of that in the past. So yeah,
just try and treat it like any other event. And yeah,
the golf to the talking, I guess.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Yeah, And I said, I'm sure you've got the same
strategy for these last couple of days of the Scottish Open.
Tell us about the Renaissance Club course, So how that
plays for you and what you're hoping to sort of
tick off this last couple of days of your weekend here?
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Yeah, I mean the golf course is great, I've been Yeah,
I mean, I guess the last couple of days it's
been a bit of a false sense security with the
weather we've had.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
I'm sure you know at some point over the next
couple of days it'll show its teeth a bit more.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
But yeah, the way it's playing, there's there's plenty of chances.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
To be your head.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
And you know, I've just been sort of taking advantage
of the part fives. I've been hitting it well Teeda Green,
and so I've been giving myself a lot, a lot
of good birdie chances on those part fives, a couple
of eagle chances as well.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
So you've just got to do that and then yeah, tidy.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Up, tidy a couple more things along the way, and yeah,
hopefully hopefully get the part of going a bit more
as well. If we do that, then hopefully see myself
climb steadily up there leaderboard.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Brilliant mate. Hey, well Dan, you'l really appreciate you chating.
It's always so good having you on our show and
a lot of people here in Wellington. You know, I'm
just so proud of the constant achievements you bring up
and obviously being named to that Olympic squad a special
moment for Wellington as well. So thanks for chatting this
morning mate. All the best for the weekend and the
big few weeks you got ahead. Appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Cool Thanks Adam.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
For more from News Talk said B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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