Ryan Fox tees off on the eighth hole on day one of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Photo / Getty Images
Kiwi golfers practice to the Dubai Desert Classic, the first big tournament of the DP World Tour season.
The New Zealand duo both opened with four-under rounds of 68 to sit in a share of ninth place, three back from the lead.
Three players share the lead at seven-under – Aussie David Micheluzzi, Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and American amateur David Ford.
The winner of the event receives US$1,530,000 (NZ$2.67m).
Hillier had the hot driver of the day, gaining 2.56 strokes off the tee in a round that included five birdies and a bogey. Fox was a bit more mixed with six birdies and two bogeys.
