Rising Kiwi golfer Daniel Hillier admits he's still processing his groundbreaking achievement in Spain on Saturday (NZ time).
The 23-year-old is now on the cusp of securing a European Tour card next year, after his landmark victory at the Challenge Costa Brava.
Hillier held his nerve to sink a birdie put on the 18th to secure the win, which has seen him surge up the overall standings on the second tier Challenge tour.
"Pretty overwhelmed at the moment, to be honest," Hillier tells Newshub. "It's been a pretty unreal week from the get-go."
Hillier carded a nine under par 62 in his penultimate round to sit in a share of third heading into the final day.
"I probably had the round of my life in round three, and to follow it up today and hole that putt on the last… it's just unbelievable," he adds.
His final round boasted nine birdies - including the clutch birdie to seal his victory - moving him into 18th in the overall standings.
Players ranked in the top 20 automatically qualify for next year's European tour.
"I've dreamt of playing professional golf since I was a youngster, and to have the opportunity to get on the main tour after playing off invites on the challenge tour, it would be absolutely amazing."
A strong finish at the last tournament of the year in Mallorca in two week's time would see Hillier achieve that dream, which would be a rich reward, after a tough year off the course.
"Just the fact that I've been over here since April away from family," he notes. "Spent the first three months on my own then my girlfriend came over and she's been a massive help.
"It's been probably the most mentally taxing year that I've ever had… to get a win at the end of the season, I'm just more than grateful."
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