Brian Campbell Wins John Deere Classic in Sudden-Death Playoff
By George McNeilly
Brian Campbell won for the second time this season on the PGA TOUR, and in both instances had to work overtime for it.
On Sunday at the John Deere Classic, he finished with a 4-under par 67 to finish at 18-under par, tying with Emiliano Grillo, and won with a two-putt par on the first extra hole. To say 32-year-old Campbell is battle-tested would be an understatement.
“You know, a little bit familiar from Mexico, but oh, man, just so over the moon to be in that position and to come back and finish it off,” Campbell said. “A lot of nerves, that’s for sure, but I can’t believe we’re here. What a special event.”
Grillo, who also carded a 67, briefly led when Campbell endured a double-bogey on 15, but soon after three-putted for a bogey himself.
Each would finish regulation play at 18-under, and on the first extra hole, a two-putt par putt was all the former University of Illinois standout would need. Grillo hit his approach over the green, his chip from the rough came up short, and he two-putted for bogey.
“I played well. That’s all I can do,” Grillo said. “Yeah, it is what it is. I got myself there. I gave myself a chance. You know, I made some good putts. Hit a good putt on the 72nd and that’s all I can do,” Grillo said.
Five months ago, Campbell captured the Mexico Open in a playoff over long-hitting Aldrich Potgieter, a winner last week in Detroit. Campbell is the shortest driver on TOUR, averaging 276 yards from the tee box.
“It just goes to show that there’s so many different games out here and so many different ways to play the game,” Campbell said. “There is not one way to get it done, and that was something that I proved to myself earlier this season, and it’s paid off.”
Campbell’s ten-year career began with a sponsor exemption in this event and has been a testament to perseverance. He lost his playing status in 2017, regaining his card in 2023, and battled injuries and illness along the way.
“It means everything. This is what we — I’ve worked my entire life to be in this position, and unfortunately, we had a couple years there where it wasn’t looking so good,” said Campbell, who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour. “You have to start thinking about am I going do something else. Maybe pro golf or this route is not going to work out.”
He becomes the sixth multiple winner on TOUR this season joining Rory McIlroy, who has won three times, while Scottie Scheffler, Ryan Fox, Ben Griffin, and 2023 John Deere champion Sepp Straka have each won twice.
Campbell’s performance this week is proof of several things. His maiden victory was no fluke; he’s a master at winning in sudden-death, and magic continues to happen when the pros compete on TPC Deere Run. A premise Campbell fully agreed with.
“Magic does happen at the John Deere. Man, I just can’t think of all the shots. I mean, Spieth’s hole-out from the bunker (2013), Stricker’s impossible 4-iron from the bunker to win for his third time (2009-2011). I played with Zach Johnson Thursday and Friday, and it was awesome to talk about some of his shots he’s had here. What a great guy,” Campbell said. “So thrilled to be here. They put on such an amazing tournament.”
With the victory, the California native and South Carolina resident moved up from 59th to 28th in the FedEx Cup standings and is a lock for the playoffs, which begin in five weeks. He also cashes a first-place check of $1.5 million.
Kevin Roy and David Lipsky finished tied for third at 17-under, while a stacked final round leaderboard saw a six-way tie for 5th at 16-under, including Max Homa, 47-year-old Matt Kuchar, and 2021 John Deere Classic winner Lucas Glover.