Key Takeaways
- Brian Campbell secured a massive playoff victory at the John Deere Classic on Sunday.
- Max Homa also found a breakthrough, while Campbell joined some impressive company with his second win of the season.
- RG's Brendon Elliott breaks down the drama-filled weekend in his latest instalment of “The Starter”.
Brian Campbell of the United States plays his shot (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
In this week's “The Starter,” PGA professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, breaks down Brian Campbell's second 2025 playoff triumph and Max Homa’s first top-10 finish in over a year.
Brian Campbell's season reads like a golf riddle: How do you win twice and still worry about making cuts?
The answer played out Sunday at the John Deere Classic, where Campbell captured his second playoff victory of the year after a final round that had more twists than a country road. He outlasted Emiliano Grillo on the first extra hole at TPC Deere Run, closing with a 4-under 67 to finish at 18-under 266.
Here's the kicker: Campbell has now won twice this year — both in playoffs — while finishing outside the top 30 in every other tournament he's completed. It's the kind of season that makes golf writers scratch their heads and fellow pros shake theirs in bewilderment.
"I got myself there. I gave myself a chance," said Grillo, who matched Campbell's 67 in the final round. "I made some good putts. Hit a good putt on the 72nd and that's all I can do."
When Good Rounds Go Bad
Campbell looked like he was cruising to an easy victory when he rattled off three birdies in four holes to start the back nine. Then golf reminded him why it's called the most humbling game on earth.
His drive on the 15th hole found the trees, leading to a double bogey that flipped the script faster than you can say "fore." Suddenly, the guy who'd been in complete control was scrambling just to stay relevant.
But here's what separates tour winners from the rest of us weekend warriors: Campbell didn't panic. A player not known for his length, he pulled out his 3-wood on the par-5 17th and smoked it to 18 feet, setting up a two-putt birdie that got him back into a tie for the lead.
On 18, he barely missed a 25-foot birdie putt that would have ended it right there. Instead, he became the clubhouse leader at 18-under, setting the target for everyone else.
Grillo's Tough Break
Grillo did his part to force extra holes, getting up and down for birdie on 17 after sinking an 8-foot putt. But sometimes golf just isn't fair — his drive on 18 found a divot, one of those cruel breaks that can define a tournament.
From that compromised lie, his wedge shot left him 40 feet from the pin. He two-putted for par to force the playoff, but you could see the frustration in his walk to the tee.
The Eagle That Almost Was
David Lipsky nearly crashed the playoff party with one of those shots that make highlight reels. His punch 3-wood on 17 rolled to within 8 feet of the pin for eagle, temporarily tying him for the lead and sending the gallery into a frenzy.
But golf's cruel sense of timing struck again. His drive on 18 hooked left, leaving him unable to reach the green. His 15-foot par putt to join the playoff caught the left edge and spun away — the kind of near-miss that haunts players for years.
Lipsky finished tied for third with Kevin Roy at 17-under, a great week that felt like a missed opportunity.
Playoff? More Like a Formality
The extra hole lacked the drama of regulation play. Campbell striped his drive down the middle and hit a beautiful little draw to about 15 feet. Game over.
Grillo caught a break when his wayward drive settled in trampled rough instead of deeper grass, but he couldn't capitalize. His approach sailed long, his flop shot came up short, and his 25-foot par attempt never had a chance.
Campbell had finished about 30 minutes ahead of the final group but chose to wait in the clubhouse rather than stay loose on the practice range. Smart move — when his number was called, he was ready.
Homa's Silver Lining
While Campbell celebrated, Max Homa found something almost as valuable as a victory: hope.
The six-time tour winner hadn't cracked the top 10 in nearly 15 months, a drought that had him ranked 122nd in FedEx Cup points and fighting just to make the playoffs. But after starting the final round one shot back, he briefly grabbed the lead with three birdies in his first four holes.
"Super disappointing," Homa said after his tie for fifth, "but game felt good, so that's nice."
Don't let the downbeat tone fool you — this was huge for Homa. His tie for fifth moved him to 98th in the FedEx Cup standings, still outside the playoff cutline but trending in the right direction.
The former UC Berkeley star played his final 14 holes in 1-over, including a frustrating par at the reachable 17th where his tee shot drifted into rough and his 10-foot birdie attempt just slid by.
The Big Picture
Campbell joins Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Sepp Straka and Ryan Fox as the only players with multiple wins this year. His unique season pattern — two wins, zero other top-30 finishes — might be unprecedented in modern tour history.
The victory could earn him a spot in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, depending on Monday's world ranking update. Not bad for a guy who was probably sweating cut lines just a few months ago.
The week also provided positive vibes for 47-year-old Matt Kuchar, who closed with a 66 to tie for fifth, and Lucas Glover, who fired a final-round 64. Both veterans proved they can still bring it when it counts.
Why This Matters
In an era of guaranteed money and corporate hospitality, the John Deere Classic delivered something increasingly rare: genuine drama where careers hang in the balance. Campbell's victory speech was brief but heartfelt, acknowledging both the satisfaction of winning and the bizarre nature of his season.
As he heads toward potential major championship appearances, he carries the confidence that comes from proving he can win when everything is on the line — even if getting to that line consistently remains his biggest challenge.
For Homa, the week offered something even more valuable than prize money: proof that the game that made him a star hasn't abandoned him entirely. Sometimes that's all you need to keep the faith.
