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Illinois Golf Alum Brian Campbell Wins the John Deere Classic

Former Illini Brian Campbell won the 2025 John Deere Classic in front of a roaring crowd in his college home state
Pranav Hegde|
Jul 6, 2025; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Brian Campbell lines up a putt on the 9th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Jul 6, 2025; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Brian Campbell lines up a putt on the 9th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Brian Campbell delivered the biggest moment of his professional career Sunday, winning the 2025 John Deere Classic in a playoff over Emiliano Grillo. The former Illinois star carded a final-round 67 to finish at 18-under, then outlasted Grillo on the first playoff hole to secure his second PGA Tour victory – and first on American soil.

Playing just a few hours from his college home in Champaign, Campbell leaned on both his composure and the support of an enthusiastic crowd to navigate a dramatic finish at TPC Deere Run. Chants of “I-L-L! I-N-I!” echoed through the course as he battled down the stretch. He held the solo lead late in the round before a costly double bogey on the par-4 15th, where he pushed his tee shot out of bounds.

The setback dropped him into a tie for the lead, but Campbell bounced back quickly. On the par-5 17th, he attacked the green in two and walked away with a momentum-shifting birdie. A steady par on 18 got him into a playoff with Grillo, who matched Campbell’s 4-under 67 on Sunday to join him at 18-under for the tournament.

In the playoff, Campbell didn’t flinch. After splitting the fairway, he hit a beauty of an approach shot, landing it inside 15 feet to set up a birdie look. Grillo, meanwhile, flew the green with his approach and was unable to get up and down for par. That opened the door for the former Illini, who calmly two-putted for the win as the crowd gathered at the Silvis, Illinois, course erupted in celebration.

The victory marks Campbell’s second of his career, following his breakthrough earlier this year at the Mexico Open. It’s also another shining moment for Illinois golf. A Big Ten champion and All-American under coach Mike Small, Campbell has become an example of the program’s growing influence on the PGA Tour.

With two wins and through-the-roof confidence, Campbell is making a strong case to be in the mix for a Ryder Cup roster spot – and his breakout season is turning heads across the PGA Tour.

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Pranav Hegde
PRANAV HEGDE

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

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