Brian Campbell earned his second PGA Tour win of 2025, both in playoffs, winning the John Deere Classic with a final-round 67 (-4) and edging out Emiliano Grillo on the first extra hole. The win extends a mixed season for Campbell, who previously won the Mexico Open at Vidanta World in late February. Aside from his two wins, he has never finished in the top 30 in any tournament. The win could secure him a spot at The Open Championship, depending on his current world ranking.
Brian Campbell, results
Campbell appeared to be in control of the tournament with three birdies in four holes at the start of the back nine. However, a double bogey on the 15th hole, caused by a shot that went into the trees, complicated his run. Grillo, also with a 67, took the lead after Campbell’s double bogey, but a three-putt bogey on the 16th hole reopened the contest. Campbell, known for being one of the shortest players on Tour with a drive, put a 3-wood 16 feet from the hole for a two-putt birdie on the 17th and nearly made a 25-foot birdie on the 18th. He was the first to finish at 18-under par (266).
Grillo responded with a birdie on the 17th, sinking a 6-foot putt, but couldn’t do better than par on the 18th to tie Campbell. David Lipsky seemed destined for a playoff after a 6-foot eagle on the 17th, but an off-line drive on the 18th caused a bogey and he closed with a 68 for the day and tied for third place with Kevin Roy (65).
In the playoff, Campbell dominated with a pinpoint draw 16 feet from the hole on the 18th. Grillo, taking advantage of a drive into trampled rough, sent the shot over the green; his flop shot didn’t reach the green, and his approach hole-out attempt didn’t land.
With just five weeks to go in the FedExCup Playoffs, this weekend’s John Deere Classic represents a crucial opportunity for golfers looking to earn valuable points to climb the standings. The PGA TOUR returns to TPC Deere Run in Illinois for a tournament that promises to be spectacular and birdie-worthy, with veterans and young talent competing hard.
Rickie Fowler returns to the John Deere Classic after 15 years. He was a sponsor’s guest in 2010, and now, ranked 72nd in the FedExCup standings, he’s looking for key points to improve his season. Despite missing the cut at last week’s Rocket Classic, Fowler has three top-20 finishes in the last six weeks.
Ben Griffin, winner of two tournaments this season, is in fine form. With six consecutive top-14 finishes, including top-10s at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, as well as a runner-up finish at the Memorial Tournament, Griffin is a favorite.
Aldrich Potgieter, fresh off winning the Rocket Classic in a playoff at age 20, is ready to make his mark.
Davis Thompson is aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the tournament since Steve Stricker (2009-2011). This year, his only top-10 finish came at THE PLAYERS Championship.
Among the other big names in the field, Sungjae Im (25th in the FedExCup standings) and Jason Day (28th) promise to be a battle.
Among the most anticipated debuts, University of Mississippi senior Michael La Sasso returns after his PGA TOUR debut in Detroit.
Jackson Koivun, the world’s top-ranked male amateur, will be playing his fourth PGA TOUR event of 2025. With a 56th-place finish at the Farmers Insurance Open and a 48th-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Koivun has already earned his PGA TOUR card through the PGA TOUR University Accelerated program, but he will return to Auburn for his junior year.
Ben James, ranked second in the amateur rankings, is playing his third PGA Tour event, following a 33rd-place finish at the Valero Texas Open and a U.S. Open qualifier.
Preston Summerhays, who recently turned pro, makes his debut as a former No. 1 in the PGA TOUR University rankings. Rounding out the sponsor exemptions are veterans Chesson Hadley, Martin Laird, Kyle Stanley and Brendan Valdes.
There was no change in the top 10 of the FedExCup standings last week, with Scottie Scheffler maintaining a 1,000-point lead over Rory McIlroy. Aldrich Potgieter’s Rocket Classic win moved him up from 73rd to 36th.
The par-71, 7,000-foot TPC Deere Run was designed by three-time tournament winner D.A. Weibring. The course, which opened in 1999, offers plenty of birdie opportunities and is expected to be low-scoring.
