Brian Campbell downs Aldrich Potgieter in play off for first PGA Tour title in Mexico

MEXICO CITY – Brian Campbell shook off an errant tee shot – saved by a lucky break – to birdie the second play-off hole, capturing his first PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open with a “gritty” win over South African Aldrich Potgieter on Feb 23.

Campbell, a 31-year-old American who is back on the PGA Tour after his first spell there in 2016-17 ended in a return to the developmental Korn Ferry Tour, rattled in a 3½-foot birdie putt at the second hole of sudden death – the par-five 18th – to seal the win after Potgieter’s six-foot birdie attempt slid past the hole.

The world No. 222 had never even produced a top-10 finish in 27 previous outings on the PGA Tour.

Both players had scrambled for pars when the play-off opened at 18 – shortly after both got up and down for birdie there to finish 72 holes tied on 20-under 264 at the VidantaWorld resort.

American Isaiah Salinda just missed out on the play-off, carding a 65 for solo third on 265.

“Grit, that’s the only word I can think of right now. I’m literally freaking out on the inside. I have no idea what’s going on right now,” said Campbell, who had four birdies and three bogeys in his final-round 70.

He had piled up 186 starts on the PGA and Korn Ferry tours without a win, and a first visit to the winner’s circle was not looking likely when his tee shot at the second play-off hole veered towards the out-of-bounds woods. But it hit a tree and ricocheted back into play, bouncing off a cart path into the right rough.

“Oh my gosh, that bounce? But we got ourselves back in position and gave ourselves a chance and it paid off,” said Campbell,