After competing in 186 tournaments without a victory, American golfer Brian Campbell finally caught a break at the Mexico Open on Sunday, resulting in what he describes as a “completely life-altering” win.
Campbell faced South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter in a sudden death playoff to secure the title. On the par-five 18th hole, Campbell’s tee shot veered into the trees, making him feel like his chances were slipping away. However, fortune smiled upon him as his ball miraculously bounced off the trees and back onto the rough, offering him a second chance to stay in contention.
This stroke of luck set the stage for Campbell’s skillful recovery. After getting back onto the fairway, he made an impressive approach shot that landed just a few feet from the hole, allowing him to sink a birdie putt and claim victory.
Reflecting on the incredible turn of events, Campbell said, “Even my caddie, Cooper, said that ball should not have bounced back in.” He joked, “I’m pretty sure it hit off bamboo, so I think I need to plant some bamboo sticks in my backyard and pay homage to that.”
Having never won on the PGA or Korn Ferry Tours, Campbell’s victory earned him $1,260,000. Over his 10-year career, he had earned $1,487,830 in total prize money before this life-changing win.
Brian Campbell’s victory at the Mexico Open has not only changed his life but also earned him entry into some of golf’s most prestigious events, including the Masters, The Players Championship, and the PGA Championship.
Given the significance of this win, Campbell can’t help but joke about his newfound affection for bamboo, especially since it played a key role in his victory. “It was an atrocious swing,” he admitted. He explained that his hands had become slippery from sweat, causing his grip on the club to shift, which led to the errant shot. “I do not recommend doing that on the last hole of the tournament,” Campbell added.
Campbell, a former college golfer at Illinois, earned his PGA Tour card in 2017 but faced a tough stretch of bad form and injuries that nearly ended his career. He was “about a week away” from quitting, but after managing to keep his Korn Ferry Tour card in 2023, he had a strong season and regained his place on the PGA Tour.
Reflecting on his decade-long journey, Campbell shared how challenging it was to watch friends, like Olympic gold medalist and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, excel in the sport while he struggled. “It was difficult to stay patient,” he said. Schauffele was among the many who congratulated Campbell after his win in Mexico, with 590 messages pouring in.
The overwhelming response to his victory was emotional, and Campbell’s girlfriend, Kelsi, captured the essence of the moment when she teared up and shared a long embrace with him on the green. This victory, after years of struggle, marked a significant turning point in Campbell’s professional career.
Brian Campbell describes his victory at the Mexico Open as a life-changing moment, saying, “The second that putt dropped, everything changed.” He explained that the overwhelming congratulations from the media, fellow players, and fans took him by surprise. “It’s just the second that putt dropped, things change, and you just don’t really expect it to happen. You can never prepare for that,” he said.
Now, as Campbell prepares for the next chapter of his career, he admits that his schedule requires more careful planning. This includes taking some tournaments off to ensure he’s ready for his first-ever appearance at the Masters in Augusta National in a few weeks.
“This is kind of what we train for our whole lives,” Campbell said. “We’re out here grinding, and we expect to win. So when these things happen, we just need to embrace them and move forward.”
In the end, Campbell credits his miraculous bounce off the bamboo lining the 18th hole at Mexico’s Vidanta Vallarta golf course for his victory. He’s grateful to the bamboo for giving him the opportunity to seize his first professional win.
