Daniel Hillier top-10 DP World Tour India

Daniel Hillier is all focus on his way to a tied ninth finish in New Dehli PHOTO: GOLF NZ

New Zealand golfer Daniel Hillier briefly threatened an upset with seven birdies in his first 10 holes to take the early final-round lead, but faded under the pressure from eventual winner Tommy Fleetwood.

The Englishman carded a final round 65 in the New Dehli tournament to finish at 23-under three shots ahead of Japan's Keita Nakajima.

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Hillier had looked to be a real challenger but slipped away after a double-bogey seven at the 14th and fell to 16-under par and a share of ninth place.

Hillier carded rounds of 69, 67, 67 and 69 throughout the tournament and walks away with just under NZ$150,000.

The tie for ninth in India is the best result for the 27-year-old this year since late April at the Hainan Classic in China where he also finish in a tie for ninth.

Hillier plays the Genisis Championship in South Korea for his next tournament this week.