Hillier and Fox make weekend at Ras Al Kaimah Championship
Daniel Hillier – steady start to his DP World career – file photo
Perhaps surprisingly, there were just two Australasians in the field for the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in the UAE, one of them a previous winner at this venue, Ryan Fox, and the other New Zealand DP World Tour rookie, Daniel Hillier, and at the halfway stage of the event, both are tied for 23rd and six shots from the lead.
Fox began his quest to win at the Al Hamra GC for the second time in twelve months at this venue on Thursday with a round of 67 but, although he was well enough placed through eight holes of round two, he dropped four shots in his next three holes to slip out of contention. He recovered with late birdies but the damage was already done and he will need something very special over the final 36 holes if he is to chase down the leaders.
Hillier added a round of 69 to his opening 70 and in just his 5th start as a DP World Tour cardholder after gaining such status via the Challenge Tour in 2022, he has now made all five cuts.
The leaders, current Australian Open Champion Adrian Meronk, Scotland’s David Law and Rasmus Højgaard are tied at the top at 11 under and one clear, Højgaard looking to become the first of a brotherly pair to win the same European Tour title.
Højgaard’s brother Nicolai won this title twelve months ago.
