Brian Campbell parred the first playoff hole to defeat Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo and claim his second PGA Tour title of the year at the John Deere Classic on Sunday.
The 32-year-old American, who also won the Mexico Open in February, carded a four-under-par 67 to finish tied on 18-under 266 with Grillo after 72 holes at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
Returning to the par-four 18th for the playoff, Campbell’s second shot landed 16 feet from the pin. Grillo, after finding the rough off the tee, saw his approach race through the green. His chip left him a 23-footer to save par, which he missed, allowing Campbell to calmly two-putt for the win.
“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.”
Campbell, who also won his Mexico title in a playoff, appeared to be heading for a regulation win after rolling in a 14-foot putt for birdie at the 13th to go two shots clear. However, a double-bogey at the 15th saw him fall one behind, before a clutch birdie at the 17th restored his one-shot lead.
Grillo, chasing a third career PGA Tour title, matched Campbell’s 67 thanks to a strong finish that included an eight-foot birdie at the 17th. He came agonisingly close to winning in regulation, with his 37-foot birdie attempt at the 18th burning the edge of the cup.
“I played well, that’s all I can do,” said Grillo. “I got myself there, I gave myself a chance.”
David Lipsky had a shot at joining the playoff after an eight-foot eagle at the 17th brought him to 18 under, but a closing bogey at the last saw him drop back to 17 under. He shared third with Kevin Roy, who fired a six-under 65.
Max Homa closed with a two-under 69 to finish among a group of six players tied on 268.
From a South African perspective, Garrick Higgo closed with a five-under 66 to finish tied 27th on 12-under 272, while Thriston Lawrence ended on eight under after a final-round 71.
Aldrich Potgieter, who won his maiden PGA Tour title last week, withdrew before the final round.
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Photo: David Berding/Getty Images
Article Link: Campbell wins John Deere Classic playoff