Brian Campbell downs Aldrich Potgieter in play-off for first PGA Tour title in Mexico
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Winner Brian Campbell reacting after his birdie putt at the Mexico Open with girlfriend Kelsi McKee on Feb 23.
PHOTO: AFP
MEXICO CITY – Brian Campbell shook off an errant tee shot – saved by a lucky break – to birdie the second play-off hole, capturing his first PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open with a “gritty” win over South African Aldrich Potgieter on Feb 23.
Campbell, a 31-year-old American who is back on the PGA Tour after his first spell there in 2016-17 ended in a return to the developmental Korn Ferry Tour, rattled in a 3½-foot birdie putt at the second hole of sudden death – the par-five 18th – to seal the win after Potgieter’s six-foot birdie attempt slid past the hole.
The world No. 222 had never even produced a top-10 finish in 27 previous outings on the PGA Tour.
Both players had scrambled for pars when the play-off opened at 18 – shortly after both got up and down for birdie there to finish 72 holes tied on 20-under 264 at the VidantaWorld resort.
American Isaiah Salinda just missed out on the play-off, carding a 65 for solo third on 265.
“Grit, that’s the only word I can think of right now. I’m literally freaking out on the inside. I have no idea what’s going on right now,” said Campbell, who had four birdies and three bogeys in his final-round 70.
He had piled up 186 starts on the PGA and Korn Ferry tours without a win, and a first visit to the winner’s circle was not looking likely when his tee shot at the second play-off hole veered towards the out-of-bounds woods. But it hit a tree and ricocheted back into play, bouncing off a cart path into the right rough.
“Oh my gosh, that bounce? But we got ourselves back in position and gave ourselves a chance and it paid off,” said Campbell, who landed his second shot on the fairway 68 yards out from the pin and spun a terrific third shot to within four feet.
Potgieter had the advantage with a tee shot on the fairway, but his second shot landed in one of the small bunkers in front of the green and his shot out left him a tough putt coming back.
It was the end of a hard day for the 20-year-old Pretoria-born prodigy, playing in only his 10th PGA Tour event. He started the day with a one-shot lead – down from four strokes after his sensational second-round 61 – and had four birdies and four bogeys in his even-par 71.
“Pressure is a big thing. You can’t really beat it, you just have to learn and adjust to the next time you’re in this position again,” acknowledged Potgieter, who won the 2022 Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham and now leads the tour in driving distance.
“I’m really happy with how I played this week. If you would have told me I would get second place before the week started, I would definitely have taken it.
“I’m just happy to have gotten into a play-off. The way I played today wasn’t my best. I was having to chase the whole time. It was nice to see some good results the last five or six holes of the tournament.”
Campbell admitted it could be discouraging to give up some 40 yards off the tee to Potgieter, but said he had learnt to trust his own game.
“It’s impressive how far some of these guys hit it out here,” he said. “That’s just on me and I’ve got to take my game elsewhere.
“It’s cool to see what can happen,” he said.
American Ben Griffin (67) and England’s Aaron Rai (67) shared fourth place at 18 under, and American Joel Dahmen (65) and Germany’s Stephan Jager (71) tied for fifth place at 17 under. Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard (67) was eighth.
Meanwhile, Angel Yin of the United States staved off the challenge of Japan’s Akie Iwai by one stroke on Feb 23 with a record-breaking victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Entering play with a five-stroke lead, Yin carded seven birdies during her bogey-free round to finish at seven-under 65 and 28-under 260 for the tournament at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.
She broke the 72-hole tournament scoring record set by Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Lin Xiyu in 2022.
Yin’s steady play was just enough to keep Iwai at bay and wrap up her second career LPGA Tour title. Iwai, who began the tournament with a 62, was one stroke better on Feb 23 with an 18-hole course-record 61.
Jeeno Thitikul, a runner-up in 2021, carded a 66 to finish in third place at 267 for the tournament. Fellow Thai natives Patty Tavatanakit (65), the defending champion, and Moriya Jutanugarn (68) tied for fourth place on 269. AFP, REUTERS