Brian Campbell celebrated his first-ever PGA Tour win on Sunday with his biggest champion.
Moments after making birdie on the second playoff hole at the Mexico Open to defeat South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter, the 31-year-old golfer was joined on the course at Vidanta Vallarta by girlfriend Kelsi McKee, who leaped into his arms in an emotional scene.
“To be in this position is just so unreal,” Campbell said. “I can’t believe it.”
This victory was a long time coming for Campbell, who first turned pro in 2015.
His 1-under 70 finish in the final round Sunday set the stage for a playoff against the 20-year-old Potgieter, now just two years into his professional career.
On the second playoff hole, Campbell’s ball sailed wide right and seemed destined to land out of play and into the brush.
Fortunately for the California native, he got the “bounce of a career” — as described by broadcaster Smylie Kaufman — and landed on the green, less than 100 yards behind Potgieter.
Campbell then made birdie for the win after a solid pitch shot to put him within striking distance.
“That ball shouldn’t have bounced back,” said Cooper Wilson, Campbell’s caddie. “It did. And then he had a 3-wood off the dirt, hit a 60-yard shot to however close and made it to have a job for two more years at least and chase his dreams some more.”
Campbell then soaked up the moment with McKee, who shared a sweet embrace with the golfer as Wilson doused the couple in champagne.
“Brian is obviously just super talented by nature, but no one has worked harder for this,” McKee said, according to the PGA Tour’s website.
“When I tell you how much he’s worked, how he’s come literally from the bottom to here, and watching that process on the Korn Ferry Tour when he almost lost his status there, to now see him win, all I see is all the work he’s put in, and this moment belongs to him.”
Campbell has been public on social media regarding his relationship with McKee since at least 2020.
With Sunday’s win, Campbell is now eligible to compete at next month’s Players Championship, the 2025 Masters and the PGA Championship, per AP.
The Players Championship tees up at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on March 13.
