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SUTTON COLDFIELD, England (AP) — A 40-foot eagle putt sparked a stunning finish from New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier as he won the British Masters on Sunday and secured his place in the British Open.

Hillier’s first European tour title was delivered in spectacular fashion when he carded a 6-under 66 in the final round at The Belfry. His winning total of 10 under par saw him finish two shots ahead of England’s Oliver Wilson and American Gunner Wiebe.

“I’m gobsmacked. I think it’s going to take me a while to process to be honest,” Hillier said after starting three shots off a six-way tie for the lead. ““Early on in the day I was not feeling it at all. I was a little bit uncomfortable with the driver, didn’t have many chances but obviously knew there were some chances coming in.

English trio Andy Sullivan, Oliver Wilson and James Morrison were part of a six-way tie going into the final round of the British Masters, while tournament favorite Justin Rose remained in contention despite carding a 2-over 74.

England's Justin Rose reacts after teeing off the 17th during day one of the Betfred British Golf Masters in Sutton Coldfield, England, Thursday, June 29, 2023. (David Davies/PA via AP)

Justin Rose has set the pace in the first round of the British Masters with a 7-under 65. Rose is the World No. 31 and top-ranked player in the field.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his shot on the first hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Rory McIlroy is missing his second designated event by pulling out of the RBC Heritage this week. He already chose to skip the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua.

Jon Rahm, of Spain, celebrates winning the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Jon Rahm is the Masters champion. He predicted that would happen when he opened a fortune cookie nearly 10 years ago.

“I didn’t think I would take them that well, but obviously pretty ecstatic.”

As well as his eagle on the par-5 15th, Hillier made birdie from a fairway bunker on the 16th and had another eagle with a 6-foot putt on the par-5 17th.

“I’m not going to lie, I was definitely looking at the leaderboard and seeing my name up there and thinking about what it would be like to finish it off but it’s all a bit of a blur really,” Hillier said. “It’s going to be a pretty awesome experience playing the Open again so I can’t wait.”

The British Open starts on July 20 at Royal Liverpool. Wilson and Wiebe also qualified for the tournament.

Wiebe, who is ranked 1,349th, had set the early clubhouse target after carding an eagle, seven birdies and a triple bogey in his closing 66.

Wilson (71) birdied the 18th to take the final Open spot.

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