Séamus Power’s week at the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic came to a disappointing end with a final-round four-over 75 seeing him fall into a tie for 44th as Brian Campbell edged Emiliano Grillo in a playoff to secure his second PGA Tour title.
Power started the final round in a tied for sixth and just three off the lead held by Davis Thompson, but his putter had been lukewarm over the opening three rounds and a miss from inside five feet for birdie on the par-5 second suggested that it wasn’t going to heat up on Sunday.
This was compounded by a three-putt from inside four feet on the sixth, leading to a double bogey which left him with too much work to do over the closing 12 holes during which he made three birdies but also three bogeys and another double.
It was a big opportunity missed, not only because he was in with a chance of a first PGA Tour win since 2022, but also because he missed out on valuable FedEx Cup points and an outside chance to put himself into contention to gain an exemption into the Open Championship at Royal Portrush via the alternate list which sees the highest non-exempt players in the OWGR invited to bring the field to 156 after the conclusion of the Genesis Scottish Open.
In the end, it was American Brian Campbell who secured his second PGA Tour victory of the season, outlasting Emiliano Grillo on the first playoff hole.
The 32-year-old, fresh off his Mexico Open triumph in February, posted a four-under-par 67 to tie Grillo at 18-under after the four rounds at TPC Deere Run.
In the playoff on the par-4 18th, Campbell’s approach shot settled 16 feet from the hole. Grillo, whose tee shot veered into the rough, overshot the green with his second shot. His subsequent chip left a 23-foot par putt, which he failed to convert. Campbell, unfazed, two-putted to claim the title.
“Right now it’s surreal,” said Campbell, who attended college in Illinois and received his first PGA Tour invite at this event. “It all started here as an amateur … I have no words. To be in a playoff and to finish it off this way is just amazing.”
Having also won in Mexico via a playoff, Campbell seemed poised for a straightforward victory after sinking a 14-foot birdie putt on the 13th, taking a two-shot lead. A double-bogey on the 15th dropped him one stroke behind, but a critical birdie on the 17th regained his advantage.
Grillo, seeking his third PGA Tour title, matched Campbell’s 67 with a late surge, including an eight-foot birdie on the 17th. His 37-foot birdie attempt on the 18th in regulation narrowly missed, grazing the cup’s edge.
“I played well, that’s all I can do,” said Grillo. “I got myself there, I gave myself a chance.”
David Lipsky nearly forced a three-way playoff, reaching 18 under with an eight-foot eagle on the 17th, but a bogey on the final hole left him at 17-under, tying for third with Kevin Roy, who shot a six-under 65.
Max Homa carded a two-under 69, finishing in a group of six at 268.
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