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Brian Campbell won for the second time this season on the PGA TOUR, and in both instances had to work overtime for it.  On Sunday at the John Deere Classic, he held off Emiliano Grillo with a two-putt par on the first sudden death playoff hole..

 Campbell’s performance this week is proof of several things. His maiden victory was no fluke; he’s a master at winning in sudden-death, and magic continues to happen when the pros compete on TPC Deere Run

 Each would finish regulation play at 18-under, and on the first extra hole, a two-putt par putt was all the former University of Illinois standout would need. Grillo hit his approach over the green, his chip from the rough came up short, and he two-putted for bogey.

 “I played well. That's all I can do,” Grillo said. “Yeah, it is what it is. I got myself there. I gave myself a chance. You know, I made some good putts. Hit a good putt on the 72nd and that's all I can do,” Grillo said.

 Five months ago, Campbell captured the Mexico Open in a playoff over long-hitting Aldrich Potgieter, a winner last week in Detroit. Campbell is the shortest driver on TOUR, averaging 276 yards from the tee box.

 “It just goes to show that there’s so many different games out here and so many different ways to play the game,” Campbell said. “There is not one way to get it done, and that was something that I proved to myself earlier this season, and it's paid off.”

 Campbell’s ten-year career began with a sponsor exemption in this event and has been a testament to perseverance. He lost his playing status in 2017, regaining his card in 2023, and battled injuries and illness along the way.

 “It means everything. This is what we -- I've worked my entire life to be in this position, and unfortunately, we had a couple years there where it wasn't looking so good,” said Campbell, who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour. “You have to start thinking about am I going do something else. Maybe pro golf or this route is not going to work out.” 

He becomes the sixth multiple winner on TOUR this season joining Rory McIlroy, who has won three times, while Scottie Scheffler, Ryan Fox, Ben Griffin, and 2023 John Deere champion Sepp Straka have each won twice.

 Campbell’s performance this week is proof of several things. His maiden victory was no fluke; he’s a master at winning in sudden-death, and magic continues to happen when the pros compete on TPC Deere Run.  A premise Campbell fully agreed with.

 “Magic does happen at the John Deere. Man, I just can't think of all the shots. I mean, Spieth's hole-out from the bunker (2013), Stricker's impossible 4-iron from the bunker to win for his third time (2009-2011). I played with Zach Johnson Thursday and Friday, and it was awesome to talk about some of his shots he's had here. What a great guy,” Campbell said. “So thrilled to be here. They put on such an amazing tournament.”

 With the victory, the California native and South Carolina resident moved up from 59th to 28th in the FedEx Cup standings and is a lock for the playoffs, which begin in five weeks.  He also cashes a first-place check of $1.5 million.

 Kevin Roy and David Lipsky finished tied for third at 17-under, while a stacked final round leaderboard saw a six-way tie for 5th at 16-under, including Max Homa, 47-year-old Matt Kuchar, and 2021 John Deere Classic winner Lucas Glover.

George McNeilly with winner Davis Thomspson, and co-runner ups CT Pan, Michael Thorbjornsen and amateur Luke Clayton from TPC Deere Run in Silvia, IL

Watching Deion Sanders coach football has been a treat, and to an entirely new generation, his playing days might seem like ancient history. As someone who covered him in college and in his Super Bowl appearances for both San Francisco and Dallas, it's been amazing to see his evolution. I later worked closely with him when he hosted The New American Sportsman on ESPN and he was always a pro's pro.

Recently, I came across a gem of a show featuring the marvelous play-by-play game calling of one of my mentors, Tony Roberts, who recently passed away. We worked together for Mutual and later Westwood One Networks. The show also includes some 'Prime Time' comments from an interview I did with Deion from Miami before the Big Game. It's incredible how much life has changed since then, but it's always great to look back and remember the legends. 

Moving day was just that at TPC Deere Run.  George McNeilly provides the sounds from an exciting day at the John Deere Classic 

Caitlin Clark, Zach Johnson, Jonas Blixt, Cameron Young and more were all part of the conversation  as the PGA TOUR is in the Quad Cities for the 52nd John Deere Classic.

Here's a feature interview with George McNeilly reporting from TPC Deere Run.

Host George McNeilly talked to him about his journey back to health a championship form in this report

The John Deere Classic has continued its reputation of elevating itself despite an always challenging date on the PGA TOUR schedule and 2023 is no exception.  What do you do when you are handed July 4th, 2023?

Organizers have been working feverishly over the last few months to deliver fans a first-ever Concert on the Course series featuring two of the nation’s best-known and most popular performers, Darius Rucker (Saturday, July 8th ) and Blake Shelton (Sunday, July 9th).

JT Poston is defending champion after leading wire to wire on TPC Deere Run  in 2022.   

Wednesday's Pro Am featured Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson who made some news of his own after playing 18 holes with NCAA college basketball standout Caitlin Clark.  The Iowa natives had a massive gallery following them all day.

World number-19 Cameron Young says the field is stronger than player rankings mighty imply, and suggests we keep an eye out for one player in particular (besides him).

Photo:   (From left to right) Michael Thorbjornsen, Tommy Kuhl, Ludvig Aberg, Marcus Byrd, William Mouw, Gordon Sargent, Ross Steelman in front of the latest John Deere tractor.

Photo by JR Howell courtesy of the John Deere Classic

George McNeilly with Taylor Moore, Adam Schenk and Jordan Speith as the final stop on the PGA TOUR's Florida Swing went to a Texan other than Speith.

A masterful performance by the reigning Masters Champion in Ponte Vedra Sunday.