From new dad to PGA Tour glory for Puerto Rico's Campos
Rafael Campos felt like he was living a fairytale when he went from being on the verge of losing his PGA Tour card to winning the Bermuda Championship, just six days after his wife gave birth to their first child.
Campos drilled his approach to two feet for eagle on the par-5 seventh hole during a surge that carried him to a three-under 68 for a three-shot victory, joining the late Chi Chi Rodriguez as the only players from Puerto Rico to win on the PGA Tour.
The 36-year-old Campos has never played in a major. Now he's going to the Masters. This was only his second full year on the PGA Tour. The win makes him exempt through 2026.
"I just can't believe this is actually happening to me," Campos said through the sobs when interviewed on the 18th green.
He won by three shots over joint overnight leader Andrew Novak, who shot 71 for his best PGA Tour finish.
American Novak pulled within two shots when Campos missed an 18-inch par putt on the 14th par. Campos was not rattled, hitting all the right shots in a ferocious wind on the closing holes.
The tears began flowing moments after he tapped in for par at the 18th.
Campos was No. 147 in the FedEx Cup with only two tournaments left, and he wasn't sure he could make it to Bermuda. He and wife decided to induce labour, and Paola Isabel was born on Monday.
Coming off five straight missed cuts - having missed eight in a row earlier in the season — he made it to Bermuda in time and no longer felt the stress of being on outside of the top 125.
Campos had said the joy of their first child brought perspective and peace.
The result was the best performance in his 80th career start on the PGA Tour.
"It's been an unbelievable week — best week of my life," he said. "Such a bad year, and to have things go my way — everything together at once — I'm just so happy. I'm grateful to call myself a PGA Tour champion. It's something I've dreamt about my entire life."
Campos, who finished at 19-under 265, earned $US1.242 million and a two-year exemption, which might be more valuable.
This was only his second year earning a full card. Campos gets into The Sentry to start the year at Kapalua, along with the Masters, the PGA Championship and The Players Championship.
Belgium's Adrien Dumont de Chassart (66) tied for third with American Mark Hubbard (66).
Australia's Aaron Baddeley was tied 70th at two over after a 74.