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'It's all happened so quickly' - Promising Kiwi golfer jets off to Europe after turning pro

September 10, 2019

New Zealand's most promising male golfer has taken the next step in his career, with Daniel Hillier turning pro.

After a stellar amateur career, Hillier, 21, has been given an immediate invitation to join some of the world's best golfers on the European Tour - starting with this weekend's KLM Open in Amsterdam - and will face off with the likes of Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed.

Rising as high as 13th in the world amateur rankings, Hillier has signed a deal with UK-based Sport Circle management, seeing him jet off to begin life as a pro.

"I'd been tapped on the shoulder by a management company, so all the pieces came together at the right time," Hillier told 1 NEWS.

"It's all happened so quickly, I don't think I've had time to digest it."

Aside from his obvious ability, Hillier also has the support of one of the game's all-time greats - four-time Major winner Ernie Els convincing him to turn pro at this year's US Open.

"He flicked me a message to say 'Congratulations and welcome to the family, and if you ever wanna have a round that'd be really cool'."

It's not just the "Big Easy" that sees Hillier's potential either.

"He was a special young man as soon as we laid eyes on him," NZ Golf high performance director Gregg Thorpe told 1 NEWS.

"He could certainly play golf, but I think as a human the behaviours that underpinned his skills were there too."

Hillier is close to signing apparel and equipment deals, before his first event as a professional begins this weekend.

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