VALLARTA, Mexico — Brian Campbell seized a significant opportunity on Sunday, where his playoff tee shot ricocheted off trees and back into play, enabling him to secure a birdie on the second extra hole and clinch a victory at the Mexico Open against Aldrich Potgieter.
Campbell finished his round with a 1-under 70 at Vidanta Vallarta, marking his first professional win in a decade. This victory couldn’t have come at a better time for the 31-year-old golfer.
With this win, Campbell has earned spots in prestigious tournaments such as the Masters, The Players Championship, and the PGA Championship, along with access to several of the remaining $20 million signature events on the PGA Tour calendar.
“Being in this position feels unreal,” Campbell expressed after sinking a birdie putt just inside 4 feet on the 18th green to secure the win. “I really can’t believe it.”
However, it was more than just solid golf that paved Campbell’s way to victory; he needed a stroke of luck as well. Both Campbell and Potgieter, who finished with a score of 71, made birdies on the 18th hole during regulation, leading them into a playoff that commenced with a par from both players. Returning to the par-5 final hole for a third time proved advantageous for Potgieter, the 20-year-old South African, known for his strong hitting. Campbell, facing a challenging tee shot, aimed low and to the right, only to have the ball hit a tree and rebound into the rough. Despite being 94 yards behind Potgieter, he was fortunate to have a clear shot. Campbell used a metal club, reaching 68 yards from the hole before hitting a lob wedge that landed just short of the pin.
“You’ve got to get those breaks sometimes,” Campbell reflected. “I hit a poor tee shot, but being able to keep it in play allowed me a chance to place pressure on Aldrich.”
Potgieter hit the fairway on two occasions during the playoff and had a 6-iron for his second shot, but he couldn’t convert either time, settling for par. His first attempt sent the ball over the green, and his second ended in a bunker after narrowly missing the pin. After blasting out of the sand and leaving himself a 6-footer for birdie, Potgieter missed the putt, paving the way for Campbell to seize a moment he had long awaited.
Before this victory, Campbell had participated in 186 events on both the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour without a win, earning just over $1.4 million throughout his career. His earnings from the Mexico Open total $1,260,000.
Potgieter began the final round with a slight lead over Campbell but fell behind due to two bogeys on the front nine. He managed to equalize with Campbell with an excellent up-and-down on the par-5 14th, and they both finished at 20-under 264 after making one bogey each on their way to the finish. Although Potgieter led in driving distance throughout the tournament, he couldn’t take advantage of the par-5 18th after consistently hitting the fairway.
“Hopefully, my time will come soon,” Potgieter stated, reflecting on his achievements as the youngest winner on the Korn Ferry Tour and the 2022 British Amateur champion at age 17. “Learning to handle pressure is key. You can’t avoid it—you can only learn from it for next time.”
Isaiah Salinda rounded out the top finishers with a bogey-free 65, earning third place. Aaron Rai, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 29 globally, shared the lead momentarily after nearly sinking an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole but ended the day with a 67, tying for fourth with Ben Griffin.
According to Campbell, it was his perseverance that ultimately led to this victory—a journey that stretches back far beyond just this weekend. He played college golf at Illinois and was recognized as the low amateur in the 2015 U.S. Open. Campbell obtained his PGA Tour card in 2017 but faced challenges, including missing the cut in 13 out of 20 events during his rookie season, which included a rare slow-play penalty at the Zurich Classic.
Following that, he spent seven years in the minor leagues, finishing No. 8 on the Korn Ferry Tour to regain another opportunity at the PGA Tour. This win grants him a two-year exemption that extends through 2027 and sets him up for a hectic schedule with major tournaments such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, the Masters, and the RBC Heritage all lined up for March and April.
