Brian Campbell captured the 2025 John Deere Classic in dramatic fashion, prevailing in a playoff over Emiliano Grillo. He closed with a 4-under 67, matching Grillo at 18-under overall and clinching victory with a par on the first extra hole. This marked his second win of the season, both earned via playoffs, adding to his triumph at the Mexico Open in February.
What made this victory resonate even more was the venue. Exactly ten years earlier, Campbell had made his PGA Tour debut as an amateur at the same John Deere Classic. Now, he returned as a seasoned professional to lift the trophy at the same event. That contrast of earlier aspirations and current success defines a familiar sports narrative–a true “full-circle” moment.
“I have no words,” Campbell said. “I mean, to be, let alone in a playoff, and to finish it off this way, it’s just been amazing.”
A Cinderella Year Transforms
Campbell’s 2025 season has been one of stark contrasts and unexpected resurgence. After failing to retain his tour card post-2017, he battled through the Korn Ferry Tour and returned to the PGA Tour only this season. In his 17 starts this year, he’s either claimed victory, as he has twice, or finished outside the top 30—a testament to how boom-or-bust his campaign has been.
His playing style, rooted in precision rather than power, breaks from the distance-driven norm on the tour. Averaging around 281 yards off the tee, near the bottom of the field, Campbell relies on exceptional accuracy and iron play complemented by elite putting and scrambling statistics . His ball‑striking efficiency and mental fortitude have proven innate, culminating in this confidence‑boosting win at TPC Deere Run.
The Emotional Resonance of Home Soil
Campbell’s ties to the Quad Cities and the University of Illinois, located nearby, make this win more than just another trophy. It’s a personal victory on familiar ground. Watching him collect the trophy where he first made headlines a decade ago stirred deep emotion–both for him and the fans who witnessed his amateur promise and eventual arrival.
“I don’t know what’s going on. But, yeah, it all started here as an amateur, my first invite here. I’ve loved it ever since,” Campbell said. His journey, steeped in perseverance and patience, now charts a poignant path from hopeful newcomer to two‑time PGA Tour champion standing where his dreams first took shape.
The final round saw Campbell engineer a masterful stretch of three birdies across four holes on the back nine, only to stumble with a double bogey on 15. But his resilience shone through. On the 17th, he deployed a precise 3‑wood to set up a birdie and co-lead at 18-under .
In the playoff, Campbell’s calm approach paid dividends. He confidently landed his tee shot in the fairway on the 18th, followed by an approach leaving a 16-foot birdie opportunity. Meanwhile, Grillo misfired. Campbell tapped in for par, and the win. This moment highlighted his nerve and shot-making under pressure. The hallmarks of a matured champion.
What Comes Next for Campbell
With this victory, Campbell ascends to 28th in the FedEx Cup standings and secures valuable points for major exemption eligibility, potentially earning berths in the British Open and beyond. Notably, he’s now one of only five players this season to earn multiple PGA Tour wins .
Beyond the immediate rewards, this full-circle triumph represents a narrative arc that resonates deeply, not only in Campbell’s career but in how sports can mirror life’s highs and lows. From debutant hopeful to two‑time winner a decade later in the same spot, his story is a testament to resilience, strategy, and the power of returning home.
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