Harry Hiller wins College event in USA.

US-based Kiwi Harry Hillier has won the second college event of his career overcoming a five-shot deficit to win the High Plains Amateur at Buffalo Dunes Golf Club in Kansas.

Hillier shot an opening round of one-under 71 to find himself a handful of shots back of the lead going into the second and final round.

He began the day with birdie opportunities on the opening three holes, only to see the ball shave the edges and was unable to capitalise. However, an eagle on the par 5 fourth would kickstart his incredible run to the title as he made the turn in two-under par.

The 21-year-old then rattled off birdies at the 11th, 14th, and three in a row to finish his round from the 16th to 18th holes, which gave him a nervous wait to see if he had done enough.

His seven-under total was unsurpassable, and he won by two shots. He couldn’t be happier with the result.

“I was five back going into the final day, so I knew I had to go out there and post a really low score.

“I actually thought I was still three-shots back going into the 15th hole, I didn’t know what the guys behind me were doing and I didn’t realise the leader made a triple bogey on the 10th.

“All I knew was I had a shot at the title, and I needed to hit some good shots to narrow the lead. Thankfully I managed to do that down the stretch,” Hillier explains.

When he walked off the 18th green his playing partner congratulated him for the win, and Hillier didn’t know what he was talking about. He explained that he was three shots ahead and with the leaders still with four holes to play. It wasn’t over just yet.

The final group couldn’t make a dent in his lead and the tournament was his.

He says winning his second event was just as hard to win as his first [The Jackrabbit].

“It certainly wasn’t any easier than the first. I Hadn’t played a competitive event in about five months due to Covid-19.

It’s given me confidence that I have the ability to come out of the gates hot after not much golf,” he says.

The uncertainty around tournament golf and his college studies is still something he is dealing with. He is doing most of his classes online and his tournament schedule remains unfinalised.

His team is meant to playing at the end of September, but for now he will practice with his teammates as if their schedule is going ahead.