Tough year for Josh Geary Daniel Hillier: 2023 beckons

ed to have a bit of a reset. Although it was only for 10 or 11 days I felt a little bit guilty doing that as I was missing out on tournaments and opportunities to move up the rankings. At the same time I think it was something I needed to do to get my head back into a good space.”

So it would prove as Hillier relates.

“When I came back I felt pretty fresh and managed to finish the season off well.’’

We asked Siobhan if she got back on the bag when she went over to join him.

“I was lucky enough not to caddy for the first few weeks,’’ she said.

“I thought I would go over and have a bit of fun for myself, but also I think it helps Dan mentally to have a familiar face with him.”

By Neville Idour

Following his outstanding sixth at the Australian Open and second placing in The Hills’ Invitation Pro-Am it was good to catch up with Josh Geary.

Looking back at 2022 it was a tough year in many ways for him.

“Yes, golf was on the back foot the first few months of this year (2022) dealing with mum’s accident so I didn’t really put much time into my game with practice. I would just play and did so at home first,” Geary said.

“I actually played pretty well to be fair and won a few things. I then went over to Europe for a few weeks.

“I found it hard mid-year with so much going on back home and having a baby at the same time. I spent about 12 weeks in Europe and had some solid play, nothing amazing. I did about five events on each of the Challenge and DP World Tours. Then I came home to family and played the New Zealand circuit and had some more success.

“But it was really about having a bit of down time from golf and not doing much practice. Yet I still had some good results and it was good to finish the year with two good results in the Australian Open and at The Hills.

“Looking back it was a solid season. I think I only missed one cut all year. So even though there were no top finishes in Europe I made a lot of cheques and with a few wins back home it was a pretty decent year money-wise.”

Geary won the New Zealand Strokeplay, the Charles Tour Clearwater Open and finished top professional at the Mount Open. He also won the Millbrook Pro-Am and four other pro-ams plus some other high finishes on the Charles Tour and a second at The Cello Open.

So what does 2023 hold for Geary?

“I don’t have any status in Europe for next season. I will play the Australasian Tour, about eight events including the New Zealand Open and the NZ PGA. After my sixth in the Aussie Open I am already in the top 15 on the order of merit.

“So there is a good chance I can play well enough to gain some exemptions for next year such as the DP World Tour. A top seven or eight might be good enough to do it. If I miss out I can look at Asia which is a growing tour. I might try there at the end of next year if not before.”

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By Neville Idour

Daniel Hillier has had a milestone 2022 year in his career with gaining his full DP World Tour card after several outstanding performances. His reflections on 2022 are revealing.

“It was a very long year. I guess when you are overseas for an extended period of time you definitely have your ups and downs,” Hillier recalled.

“I started the year really well and got myself into a good position early on, but had a bit of a rough patch through the middle.

“I was lucky during that period that (girlfriend) Siobhan decided to come over for a few weeks and she helped me get through that. The thing with golf is you are never going to play well all the time. It was probably the first time I have had an extended period where I wasn’t playing how I wanted. I was probably mentally fatigued. There were also a few travel issues then as well.

“It was an interesting time through the middle of the year so I ended up getting a flight home in August. I just need-

“Then Dan’s full-time caddie had a wedding to go to one week. So the last week I was there I caddied in Scotland at Fairmont, St Andrews where Dan finished 12th. So I think I have still got it,’’ she said with a laugh.

“I think it is nice I could do that when we needed to. I love it as it was a bit of fun for me too. We said let’s have a break at home and even though it was only a week and a half it was just what was needed.”

So what are the plans for 2023? Hillier explains.

“I leave in January and my first event will hopefully be Abu Dahbi where my ranking should get me a start. The Rolex series starts the year.

“There are a few tournaments in the United Arab Emirates, then we move to Asia for a few DP World Tour events.”

This means he will miss the Australasian Tour although the New Zealand Open is a possibility.

“I am not sure about the New Zealand Open. It is all situational. It is nice to have more events closer to home so it means only one long haul flight rather than two. After those events there is a little break so I will be able to come home for a few weeks.”

How does he see the DP World Tour?

“They have upped their game and there is plenty to play for with cards for the PGA Tour up for grabs and prizemoney increases. The next couple of years will be interesting.”

As for Siobhan what does 2023 hold for her?

“I will continue to work and get my teachers’ registration. I have got one more year on that and then the world’s our oyster after that. I’ll be able to go over in the new year during my school holidays if it works out. It would be in March and then July around some of the big events. If we play an Open qualifier that would be cool. The principal at my school is very forgiving if I want some time off to pop over or take some time if Daniel comes home.”

On that happy note we left this likeable couple to enjoy the second day at The Hills Invitation Pro-Am.