Kiwi Daniel Hillier holds a slender one-shot lead heading into the final day here at Emirates Golf Club, in the 36th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The 26-year-old, whose maiden DP World Tour title came at the 2023 Betfred British Masters, was in the final group, one shot behind the overnight leader, Ewen Ferguson. The pair started the day with breathing space from the chasing contenders, which included the likes of Tyrrell Hatton, Min Woo Lee and Rasmus Højgaard.

Hillier got off to the brighter start, birdieing three of his first five holes. The Scot, Ferguson, meanwhile, was heading in the opposite direction, two over through nine.

A four-shot lead was staring Hillier in the face in what was a turbulent day for all players.

“It was a grind,” said Hillier. “I figured it was going to be that way at the start of the day with all that wind. It was tough, but I enjoyed it out there.”

However, three consecutive bogeys from the 13th left the door ajar for the chasing pack, and England’s Hatton took full advantage with a 68 to set the clubhouse target at 12 under par.

Hillier responded with a birdie from six feet at the 17th, then cleared the water by a whisker with his second shot to the last hole, setting up a routine up-and-down gain as he signed for a two-under 70 and a 13-under total.

“Well, we thought we had plenty of club going in there. We were trying to hit it long left. Only 200 to carry the water, and I hit 5-wood.

“Usually that’s a 235, 240-yard club, and it just spun into the first cut.”

Ferguson ended up signing for a two-over 74 to lie third on ten under, with England’s Laurie Canter and Hillier’s countryman Ryan Fox tied for fourth, a shot further back.

“Yeah, it will be good,” said Hillier, commenting on Sunday’s final grouping. “I don’t think I’ve played with Tyrrell before, so that should be fun.

“It will be a good test. He’ll be raring to get his hands on that trophy, but I’d love to do the same. It will be a fun day.”

Whoever picks up the winner’s cheque, in this US$9 million prize pool, will take home a tasty $1.53 million. A nice start to 2025!

“It would be life-changing. Last year was pretty tough. It was a bit of a grind.

“I was getting pretty frustrated with myself towards the end of the year. Gave myself a little bit of a break and time to reset, and I’m feeling refreshed. Yeah, excited for tomorrow.”

Defending champion and four-time winner of the event, Rory McIlroy, is at six under par, seven shots back from Hillier.

Main Image: Getty Images / David Cannon