New father Rafael Campos wins 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship

Rafael Campos Wins Butterfield Bermuda Championship in a Life-Changing Week

Rafael Campos, a 36-year-old golfer from Puerto Rico, experienced a week to remember as he claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. This momentous achievement came just days after another life-changing event—the birth of his daughter on Monday.

The week began with Campos facing a race against time. After welcoming his newborn daughter, he quickly made his way to Bermuda to participate in the tournament. With little time to spare, he arrived just in time to make his opening tee shot on Thursday at the Port Royal Golf Course. Despite the whirlwind start, Campos showcased remarkable composure and focus throughout the tournament, culminating in a stellar final round performance on Sunday.

A Triumph in Tough Conditions

In windy conditions on the final day, Campos delivered a composed and skillful round, carding a 68 to finish the tournament at 19 under par. Starting the day tied for the lead with Andrew Novak, Campos demonstrated his grit and determination to seize the victory.

His round featured an eagle on the par-5 7th hole, along with birdies on the 6th, 10th, 11th, and 17th holes. While his performance was impressive, it was not without challenges. Campos encountered bogeys on the 9th and 14th holes, including a rare four-putt on the latter. Despite these setbacks, he maintained his momentum to secure the win.

A Dream Realized

Reflecting on his victory, Campos described it as the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. “This has been the most incredible week of my life,” Campos said. “To win my first PGA Tour event just days after becoming a father is a dream come true.”

His triumph was met with cheers from the crowd, many of whom appreciated the historical significance of the win. Campos is the first Puerto Rican to claim a PGA Tour victory, and his achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of golfers from the region.

The Final Leaderboard

Andrew Novak, who shared the lead with Campos at the start of the day, finished two strokes behind at 17 under par. Novak delivered a solid performance but couldn’t match Campos’ final-round brilliance.

Meanwhile, Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Mark Hubbard tied for third place at 15 under par. Both players showed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament but fell short of challenging for the top spot.

A Week to Remember

Campos’ victory at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship is not just a professional milestone but also a personal triumph. Balancing the joy of becoming a father with the pressure of competing at the highest level, he emerged victorious against all odds.

For Campos, this week will forever be etched in his memory as the moment he achieved greatness—on and off the golf course. As he returns home to Puerto Rico, both a trophy and his newborn daughter await him, symbolizing the incredible highs of a week that he will cherish for a lifetime.