SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Rafael Campos is experiencing a momentous week, celebrating the arrival of his daughter while also competing for his first professional victory. Campos recorded a personal best score of 9-under 62 on Saturday, positioning himself in a tie for the lead ahead of the final round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Both Campos and Andrew Novak finished Saturday’s round tied after Novak also shot a 62, despite challenging windy conditions at Port Royal Golf Course, where gusts exceeded 40 mph towards the end of play. Novak was fortunate on the 18th hole when his drive rolled back down a cart path but then bounced onto the grass, avoiding a potentially disastrous outcome.
Justin Lower, who started the day with a 62, faced a setback on the par-5 18th, hitting his ball into the water and managing only a bogey for a total score of 68, leaving him one shot behind the leading duo.
With a score of 16-under 197, Campos and Novak are both looking for their first win on the PGA Tour. For Campos, this week holds even greater significance as he reflects on the birth of his daughter, Paola Isabel, earlier in the week. Ranked No. 147 in the FedEx Cup standings and needing to break into the top 125 to maintain his tour status, Campos acknowledged the timing is crucial.
He shared that the decision to induce his wife’s labor was partly influenced by the importance of his tournament performance. “My wife is so understanding of my situation with the FedEx standings,” he expressed, visibly emotional. “The process of inducing labor was meant so I could make it to the tournament. We were both hoping everything would align.”
The couple returned from the hospital on Wednesday evening, and Campos proudly recalled his brief encounter with his daughter before heading to the airport. “I held her and thought I had to leave for the tournament within 20 minutes,” he said. “I feel grateful that I can be here competing well this week.”
During Saturday’s challenging wind, Campos thrived, making crucial birdies when it mattered. He made a chip-in birdie on the 15th hole, sank a 10-foot putt on the difficult par-3 16th, and converted a tough birdie on the 17th before finishing with a par on 18.
The wind direction altered dramatically compared to earlier rounds, forcing players who previously hit wedges to the 18th hole to opt for hybrids instead. Lower expressed his thoughts on the demanding finish to the round, stating, “With the way conditions were, it didn’t feel like proper golf. Balls were moving backward in the air.”
Lower, who had a strong runner-up finish in Mexico last week, is also on the hunt for his first PGA Tour victory. He raised concerns about how the PGA Tour treats less prominent players, suggesting that if top-ranked players were uncomfortable in such conditions, they would be more likely to receive leniency.
This situation marks Campos’ first time sharing the 54-hole lead in a tournament, having previously tied at events in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in 2021. However, this scenario feels particularly unique to him.
“I’m in a tough spot regarding the FedEx Cup standings. I never wanted to be here; I genuinely want to keep my job for next year,” Campos admitted. “The pressure has been immense over the last six months. But the arrival of my daughter has shifted my perspective on everything. If I lose my tour status, it won’t matter because I have a beautiful family waiting for me.” As he prepares for the final round, Campos hopes for a strong performance to cap off an extraordinary week.