This professional is emotional to lose his national open. But not for the reason you think

Rafael Campos He has played on the biggest tour of his homeland – Puerto Rico Open – every year since its presentation as a PGA Tour event in 2008.

But this year, Campos is switching to his national opa.

Why? We will allow him to explain.

“(I) I got one of the best calls I have received over the years,” Campos from this week’s open Mexico said. “Friday of Scottsdale (two weeks ago), I was with my wife in the morning and I see a message to Mr. Drew Donovan, (who) is the director of the tournament for Arnold Palmer Invitational and she said: ‘Call me.'”

Donovan had called to offer Campo an exception of the sponsor in API, one of the PGA Tour’s signature events with a $ 20 million bag. Just only the Campos Signature event will play inside and it is guaranteed to bring home valuable points FedEx Cup and part of that massive bag with the event that does not have a cut of 36 holes.

“I started crying a little because it means a lot to us, to me, to us, Porto ricans, just being able to go and play in a larger event, greater opportunities,” Campos said who won Butterfield Bermuda Championship last year. “Really motivates the younger generations at home to realize that, ‘hey, if you decide at work, if you dedicate your time and really work hard, you can really go through those greater opportunities and more good. ” “

Campos is the only member of PGA Tour from Porto Rico and has been in the middle of a fierce stretch with his late game.

While he Won in his 80th starter of PGA Tour’s career in November And the victory saved his PGA Tour card, it has not been translated into Constant form. In addition to victory in Bermuda and a 57th place to appear in Sentry, Campos has lost the other nine cuts in his last 11 beginnings in PGA Tour. In 2024, he made only eight out of 25 cuts and he did not make a season as Sentry did not have a cut.

So, a few weeks ago, Caddy ‘Campos got inside.

“Only after the farmers a few weeks ago, three weeks ago that my kadiu said a lot,” Hey, man, like we can’t keep playing like that, we have to make some changes, “Campos said he searched Boyd Summerhaysone of 100 top Golf teachers in America and took lessons with him. “He really understood why the ball was going as it was. I made a big difference two weeks ago, especially the way I catch the club and how I want the club to get out of my back. “

Campo’s weak shape and swinging change made sponsors invite Arnold Palmer Invitational more startling, but when an opportunity like this comes together for a traveler like him, he has to take it.

He was exciting when sharing the news with his wife.

“I was a little bit of tearful eyes and enters inside and my wife was there. She’s like,” hey, are you fine? “,” Said Campos.

“I’m like,” Yes, unfortunately, we can’t play Puerto Rico open. “

“It is like, ‘Did you get hurt. Have you fallen, what happened again there?’

“I told what we got a place at Arnold Palmer Invitational.”

Campos, like many others Pros that require sponsor exceptions At the PGA Tour events, he said he had written about 150 letters to the tournaments, trying to take spots in their fields. Acceptance from API is one of just a few times that it has actually been worked on.

“This is a blessing,” continued Campos. “Next to an opportunity we will always remember. I really want to take advantage of that opportunity and at the same time hope it is the beginning of me by winning the confidence I need to start playing a good golf and I hope to be on that tournament for the future. “

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