Brian Campbell 'bounced' his way to a stunning victory

Feb 23/2025 - For a decade, BRIAN CAMPBELL grinded on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours without a single win. But at the Mexico Open, everything changed. In a dramatic playoff, Campbell’s tee shot on the second extra hole was headed out of bounds—until it miraculously bounced off a tree and back into play. He capitalized, sinking a short birdie putt to defeat ALDRICH POTGIETER, the 20-year-old ong ball hitter who routinely outdrove him by 40+ yards.

This wasn’t just a win—it was a career breakthrough.  Just two years ago, he nearly quit golf after a brutal Q-School meltdown. Now? He’s heading to The Masters, The Players, and the PGA Championship. Oh, and he took home $1.26 million—almost doubling his career earnings in a single day.

From nearly walking away from the game to winning in stunning fashion, his story is proof that perseverance (and maybe a lucky bounce or two) can change everything.

5 FUN GOLFER FACTS FROM THE 2025 MEXICO OPEN AT VIDANTAWORLD

• This was CAMPBELL's 1st PGA Tour Victory in only his 28th start at the age of 31 years, 11 months, 17 days

• This playoff was the first playoff ever at the Mexico Open, and also the first playoff for both CAMPBELL and POTGIETER

• For only the second time this year a golfer recorded back-to-back eagles, with STEVEN FISK getting it done in the 3rd round on holes 6 and 7.  If your wondering…he ended up T17

• The Mexico Open is proving a great place to break through as the last two years both produced first time winners in CAMPBELL and JAKE KNAPP

• The playoff was a battle of contrasting golf styles with Campbell being the shortest hitter on TOUR with an average drive of about 277 yards per drive, vs the goliath bomber in POTGIETER who is the longest hitter on TOUR at about 326 YPD

4 FUN GOLFER FACTS ABOUT BRIAN CAMPBELL

• CAMPBELL's older brother Derek was drafted by the MLB Philadelphia Phillies

• While attending the University of Illinois, CAMPBELL received the 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Award and earned All-Big Ten First Team honors

• CAMPBELL earned his way into the 2015 U.S. Open as an amateur and finished with low amateur honors at T27, edging out such pros as ERNIE ELS and JIM FURYK.

• After his low amateur round at the 2015 U.S. Open, CAMPBELL received a congrats message from fellow namesake and pro NHL hockey player, BRIAN CAMPBELL.  I wonder if he sent another after this big win?