SILVIS, IL. – Brian Campbell was just finishing up at the University of Illinois when he saw TPC Deere Run for the first time. That was in 2015 when he got in the John Deere Classic field as a sponsor’s exemption and missd the cut. He’s come a long way since then.
Campbell returned as a pro two years later and tied for 12th, then didn’t return again until this week when he won the 54th John Deere Classic in a one-hole playoff.
“Yes, it all started here as an amateur, my first invite, ’’ said Campbell. “I’ve loved it ever since. I have no words. To be let alone in a playoff and to finish it off, it’s just amazing.’’
Campbell and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo were both 18-under-par in the regulation 72 holes. Campbell put his drive in the playoff in the center of the fairway, his second 16 feet from the cup and – after Grillo sent his drive in the right rough, his second over the green and hit a weak chip – Campbell two-putted for par and his second victory of the season.
“I expected a little bit of a fight, not that much,’’ said Grillo. “I got myself there. I gave myself a chance. That’s all I can do.’’
It wasn’t so easy for Campbell in the 72 holes before the playoff. Lots of players wanted to climb the leaderboard. Northwestern alum David Lipsky, playing in the last group, matched Campbell’s eagle at No. 17 and could have won with a birdie at 18. Instead he hit a weak drive into the left rough, chipped back to the fairway and had a putt to get into the playoff.
“I’m disappointed the putt didn’t drop on the last, and the tee shot on the last, but I’m pretty happy with the week,’’ said Lipsky. “In my situation, I’m gaining FedEx Cup points, money, all that stuff.’’
Lipsky was in position to extend a JDC tradition for having the most first-time winners (24) of any PGA Tour event. Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim hoped to be the 25th after leading the first two rounds. He wound up tied for 31st. Lipsky remained winless on the circuit.
“With all the pressure everyone is aware of what can and can’t happen,’’ said Lipsky. “I’m just happy how I had a really good mindset, kept plugging away and grinded it out.’’
Campbell is the second Illini golfer to win the JDC. Steve Stricker won three times, from 2009 to 2011. Illini supporters were vocal on Campbell’s behalf all week.
“I’m so proud to be in the same conversation with Steve Stricker,’’ he said. “I never had his much support in a golf tournament.’’
Campbell came from California to play for coach Mike Small at Illinois. He earned his PGA Tour card shortly after his college days were over, then lost it and needed seven years to get it back.
His first win on the PGA Tour came earlier this year in Mexico, in a playoff with South African Aldrich Potgieter. In that one Campbell benefitted greatly from one of his errant shots bouncing off a tree and into a position where he could win.
“Mexico was definitely a shock,’’ said Campbell, “and reliving it this week is something special.’’
BITS AND PIECES: Ed Fiori, winner of one of the JDC’s most notable stagings, passed away on Sunday. He was 72, and the biggest of his four PGA Tour wins came when he beat Tiger Woods. Woods was a 20-year old phenom trying to earn his PGA Tour card when he made his only appearance in the tourney, then called the Quad Cities Classic and played at Oakwood Country Club in nearby Coal Valley in 1996. Fiori topped the field with Woods finishing in a tie for fifth.
Jackson Koivun, a 20-year amateur in his freshman year at Auburn, was in the field as a sponsor’s exemption and tied for 11th. His father George attended nearby Moline High School, and Jackson is the world’s No. 1-ranked amateur golfer.
Rickie Fowler, who had only played in the JDC in 2010 when he was still an amateur, tied for 18th after shooting 67-66 in the weekend rounds. He finished four strokes behind the leaders and tied with Davis Thompson, who set the tournament scoring record in his victory last year.
Potgieter, who won last week’s PGA Tour stop in Detroit, bypassed the final round – and a paycheck in the process. He withdrew after the third round, no reason given.
Three former JDC champions – Michael Kim, Dylan Frittelli and J.T Poston didn’t survive the cut but 49-year old Zach Johnson, the winner in 2012, did – and for 17th straight year. He has played all 72 holes 20 times in his 23 starts. This time he tied for 44th.
