SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Rafael Campos experienced a remarkable transformation on Sunday, turning what seemed like a daunting situation into a triumphant victory at the Bermuda Championship. This impressive win came just six days after his wife gave birth to their first child, allowing him to compete in the tournament that would change his career.
Campos made an extraordinary eagle on the par-5 seventh hole, hitting his approach shot to a mere 2 feet. He finished the round with a 3-under 68, securing a three-shot lead that placed him alongside the late Chi Chi Rodriguez as one of the only players from Puerto Rico to achieve this feat on the PGA Tour.
At 36 years old, Campos has yet to participate in a major championship, but this victory has earned him a spot in the prestigious Masters tournament. His win coincides with only his second complete year on the PGA Tour, and it provides him with membership through 2026.
“I can hardly wrap my head around what just happened,” Campos said, visibly emotional during an interview on the 18th green after tapping in for par.
He triumphed over Andrew Novak, who produced a 71 for his best finish on the PGA Tour, with Campos maintaining a three-shot margin. Although Novak narrowed the gap to two strokes after Campos missed a short par putt on the 14th hole, Campos responded by demonstrating composure and skill as he navigated the difficult closing holes amid fierce winds.
The tears flowed as Campos processed the victory moments after finishing the round. Just a week prior, he was ranked No. 147 in the FedEx Cup standings, with only two tournaments left in the season. Uncertainty loomed over whether he could even make it to Bermuda, prompting him and his wife to induce labor for the birth of their daughter, Paola Isabel, on Monday.
After experiencing a string of five consecutive missed cuts — including an eight-tournament drought earlier in the season — Campos arrived in Bermuda without the previous pressure of needing to break into the top 125. He expressed how the joy of becoming a father had given him newfound perspective and tranquility.
His remarkable performance marked the best of his career after 80 tournaments on the PGA Tour. “This has been an incredible week — the best of my life,” he reflected. “After such a challenging year, having everything click all at once is exhilarating. I am truly honored to be called a PGA Tour champion; it’s something I’ve aspired to my entire life.”
Finishing at 19-under 265, Campos earned a prize of $1.242 million as well as a two-year exemption, which may hold more significance than the monetary reward alone. This victory secures his eligibility for The Sentry tournament at Kapalua to kick off the new year, along with invitations to the Masters, the PGA Championship, and The Players Championship.
Entering the final round tied with Novak, both competitors quickly found themselves overtaken by Justin Lower, the runner-up in last week’s tournament in Mexico. However, momentum shifted in Campos’s favor when he skillfully handled the windy conditions, setting up a birdie opportunity of 6 feet on No. 6 followed by the crucial eagle on the subsequent hole.
In contrast, Lower struggled, suffering a four-putt double bogey on the par-3 eighth hole, which hindered his performance for the remainder of the match. Campos leveraged his ingenuity to execute shots effectively in the wind, rolling his ball to within 18 inches for birdie on No. 10 and sinking another from 15 feet on the following hole.
As he approached the end of his round, the challenging, windy conditions posed difficulties, with even short putts at risk of being blown off target. Despite this, Campos only faltered on the missed 18-inch putt. As friends rushed to the 18th green to shower him with champagne, he took a celebratory sip, savoring an experience he once thought to be unattainable.
“It’s been an incredibly tough year with my ball striking,” Campos commented. “When things aren’t going well, it’s hard to find confidence in this game. This week has been different. I couldn’t be more thankful.”