VIEW FULL LEADERBOARD<\/a><\/p>\nKiwi star Daniel Hillier produced a composed final-round display to win the $A1.69 million New Zealand Open by two shots at Millbrook Resort, while Australia\u2019s Lucas Herbert secured a coveted place in The Open Championship later this year.<\/p>\n
Hillier, 27, became just the second New Zealander in 23 years to lift the national title on the Asian Tour, following in the footsteps of Mahal Pearce (2003) and Michael Hendry (2017).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hillier closed with a 4-under-par 67 on a cold, rain-interrupted Sunday to finish at 22-under par, never surrendering the lead he carried into the final round.<\/p>\n
Starting the day one shot clear of compatriot Kerry Mountcastle and Australia\u2019s Curtis Luck, Hillier kept control throughout. Five birdies against a single bogey proved enough to hold off Herbert, who matched the 67 to claim outright second at 20-under.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI knew I just needed to stay patient,\u201d Hillier said after sealing the biggest win of his career on home soil.<\/p>\n
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With Hillier already exempt for The Open, the championship berth on offer at the 105th edition of the tournament passed to the leading non-exempt finisher \u2014 Herbert. The 31-year-old LIV Golf player will now tee it up at The Open at Royal Birkdale this July.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Herbert\u2019s week was one of resilience. He began in disastrous fashion on Thursday, dropping three shots across his opening three holes in brutal conditions. From there, he steadily rebuilt, culminating in Sunday\u2019s composed 67 to secure second place on 20-under \u2014 three shots clear of Mountcastle and Japan\u2019s Tomoya Ikemura, who shared third at 17 under.<\/p>\n
It marks Herbert\u2019s return to major championship golf after qualifying for just two of the past eight. The Australian has made 17 major appearances, with his best result a tie for 13th at the 2022 US PGA Championship.<\/p>\n
Behind the leading pair, Australia\u2019s Travis Smyth closed with a 68 to finish fifth at 16-under.<\/p>\n
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Luck, who began the final round in contention, saw his hopes unravel at the par-4 6th when a wayward tee shot resulted in a lost ball and double bogey. A damaging eight-over 79 saw the West Australian tumble to a share of 23rd.<\/p>\n
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