Lady Luck shone for Brian Campbell on Sunday as he took advantage of a massive break to beat 20-year-old South African Aldrich Potgieter in a playoff at the Mexico Open.
Campbell’s tee shot on the second extra hole rebounded off a tree and came back into play, leading to a birdie to win for the first time on the PGA Tour, a decade after he turned professional.
The win is potentially life and career changing with the American who carded a one-under 70 in regulation play, set for the Masters, The Players Championship and the PGA Championship.
He has also played his way into the remaining Signature Events on the PGA Tour.
“To be in this position is just so unreal,” the 31-year-old Campbell said after calmly holing a birdie putt just inside 4 feet on the 18th green for the win. “I can’t believe it, really.
“You’ve got to get those breaks sometimes,” Campbell said. “Unfortunately I hit a really bad tee shot there, caught the tree, was able to keep it in play and get ourselves in a good position to get a wedge and keep the pressure on.
“I was just so happy that I was able to kind of stay in it to the end.”
Campbell has had a journeyman career and was 186 starts without a win since turning pro as he battled it out on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour.
Campbell almost eclipsed his entire career earnings ($1,487,830) with this win, pocketing $1,260,000.
For Potgieter, it will prove to be a learning experience for the youngster who struggled badly with chipping from around the greens throughout the final day.
The South African, who beat Laytown & Bettystown’s Alex Maguire in the Amateur Championship semi-final in 2022, hit the fairway on both playoff holes but couldn’t find the birdie he needed to win his maiden PGA Tour crown.
“Hopefully, my time will come soon,” said Potgieter, who won The Amateur Championship 2022 at age 17 and last year became the youngest to win on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“Pressure is a big thing,” he said. “You can’t beat it. You just have to learn and adjust to it the next time.”
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