Rafael Campos shot a final-round 68 to win the Butterfield Bermuda Championship for his first PGA Tour victory.
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Finally, Rafael Campos is a winner on the PGA Tour.
Campos, a 36-year-old major in his 14th year as a professional golfer, shot a final-round 68 at Port Royal Golf Course on Sunday to win Butterfield Bermuda Championship. The victory is just the Puerto Rico native’s second professional victory and his first on the PGA Tour.
“After such a bad year, for things to go the way I have, all together at once, I’m very happy,” Campos said. “I can’t believe this is actually happening to me after a year like this. I’m just grateful to be able to call myself a PGA Tour Champion. It’s something I’ve dreamed about all my life.”
Campos entered the day tied for the lead with Andrew Novak after each posted a nine-under 62 in the third round, but on a blustery day in Bermuda, Campos got the better of his playing partner. After getting off to a slow start during the final round going one over in five holes, Campos three-under par on Nos. 6 and 7 to change the momentum heading into the back nine.
With birdies on the 10th and 11th, Campos reached 19 for the week and built a lead he would not relinquish. He played the final seven holes in even par to win by three over Novak.
As he hit his final shot on the final par-4, Campos was overcome with emotion. He let out a little fist pump and hugged his tee box with tears in his eyes as his fellow pros stormed the greens and doused him in champagne.
To say this win is unlikely would be a bit of an understatement. Entering the week, Campos had lost four straight cuts, with just two cuts made in 15 starts since mid-May. But despite the doubts caused by his poor play, Campos never gave up hope.
“It’s been such a bad year for hitting,” Campos said. “This game is very difficult when things don’t go well. It’s so hard to have faith. Things have just been so different this week. I am very grateful to finish at the top of the leaderboard.”
With the win, Campos takes home a check worth $1.2 million, a two-year exemption to the PGA Tour and an invitation to the 2025 Masters. Campos also joins compatriot Chi Chi Rodriguez as the only other player from Puerto Rico to win on the PGA Tour.
“It’s been an incredible week,” Campos said. “The best week of my life.”
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