Daniel Hillier finishes tied for third in Germany

Daniel Hillier.
Photo: Photosport

New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier finished in a four way tie for third at the BMW International Open on a dramatic final day in Germany.

South African Thriston Lawrence claimed his second win of the season as he overhauled Joost Luiten of the Netherlands to take the title.

Hillier, who was in a share of third after three rounds, recorded a final round 71 to finish tied for third with Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, local favourite Maximilian Kieffer and Pole Adrian Meronk.

It was Hillier’s best result on the tour and he pockets $155,000 NZD.

Lawrence entered the final day at Golfclub München Eichenried four shots behind his rival but had reeled him in by the turn before back-to-back three-putts on the 12th and 13th left him two behind with five to play.

The 17th then proved critical as the South African hit a stunning tee-shot to set up a birdie and Luiten three-putted the par-three to drop out of the lead for the first time all day.

Lawrence parred the last for a 69 to finish at 13 under and with Luiten unable to make a birdie on the par-five, the 26-year-old was left celebrating a fourth DP World Tour title.

Luiten’s closing 74 left him a shot ahead of Hillier and company.

There were gasps around the 17th green as Luiten missed from three feet and a third three-putt of the day meant that, for the first time in the round, the Dutchman was off the top of the leaderboard and needed a birdie up the last for a play-off after Lawrence finished his round with just a fifth par of the day.

Luiten hit a tree of the 18th tee which forced him to lay up and while he had a chance to birdie from the fringe, he missed from 25 feet and Lawrence was the victor.