MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 10, 2025

Brian Campbell

Quick Quotes

Q. Brian, how did that go out there today?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: It was great. Even par first round out here, I would definitely take that. The wind was whipping definitely on 16. It was completely opposite and then going down and then into. A few unlucky breaks.

But yeah, I played really strong. I'm getting more and more used to the greens. They're just tricky. But overall incredibly pleased with my round.

Q. How did the birdie feel on 18?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Oh, amazing. I knew I hit the 7-iron a little too hard so I was hoping it caught the slope, and I was just listening to the crowd, so I kind of knew what happened then.

It's always nice to birdie 18. Makes dinner taste a little better.

Q. How does a birdie on 18 in your first Masters feel?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, I think it's hitting me right now. I think more in the moment I'm just locked in, and I told Cooper, let's just get more one. Fairway first, green second, and then we had a four- or five-footer for birdie and capitalized, so that was nice.

Q. How soon after your win were you thinking of today?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Oh, immediately. Probably an hour or two after. I know my caddie was thinking about it immediately. You can't help but think about where you're going next or what does this mean. We were just pumped.

Q. What were some of the things you were thinking about? What was the first thing you wanted to see here in person?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Probably the 10th hole. I wanted to hit a shot on the 10th hole and see what kind of shot I needed on that hole.

I mean, 12, obviously, is probably the first hole that enters your mind when you get here. But even just the grounds itself. The practice facilities, everything about it.

Q. I'm sure you've been asked this question before, but how does the TOUR's shortest statistical driver play Augusta National?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: I think it feeds into my game more so than other places, so I was okay with it. I think I picked up a few yards here and there off the tee, which will make some holes a little easier.

But again, there are some holes that I just won't be able to reach, and that's my game plan. Using my wedges, using my chipping, using my short game. Then just keeping the ball in play and in front of you.

Q. Over your career did you ever think of trying to add speed or you just tried to enhance what you had?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: It's been -- I've lost a bit of speed the last two, three years, actually because I went through an injury.

So it wasn't even a question for me to start speed training. I was just like, let's just start hitting balls again and doing the short stuff. It seems like that's paid off a lot more than trying to gain speed.

Q. Can a shorter hitter win here?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: We've seen it done before. Zach Johnson. There's been other guys, too, that have just been legends with their short game, their wedges, their putting. As they move the tees back as we play here, some holes do get longer, but I think some holes still play their true value.

Q. Is it hard to then be patient a little bit when you see a longer hole that you've still got to stick to your game?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Oh, it's definitely hard. Seeing a guy, especially like Potgieter blast it 60 yards past you is tough. I'm not going to lie. But I think it's only going to hurt you to be wishing for that. You've got to realize your own game, your own potential, and go from there.

Q. That moment in the final round with Potgieter, did that prepare you for a bigger stage like this?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: I hope so. I'd like to think that that adds to the confidence. It adds to knowing that I belong out here, knowing that I can play out here, if I just stick to my game plan.

Q. What does a good round tomorrow to you look like?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: I came out today with the hopes of shooting 3-under. That was kind of in my head. I think I'll do the same tomorrow. If we make a few more birdies, get more aggressive, and if we have to back off, then solid play out here will go a long way.

Q. Can Brian Campbell win the Masters?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: I don't see why not.

Q. Back to that birdie on 18, I think I was next to your buddies. As soon as you sunk that putt they were celebrating like they had won the Masters. What's it like to have that kind of support?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Oh, it's awesome. I'm staying with my family in a house this week, so it's been a real treat to bring them here. I'm in the Masters, and it's just such a privilege, to be honest.

But having my buddies out here hooting and hollering, it just helps bring the old memories back. I grew up with a lot of those guys, so it's just fun having them out here.

Q. Living right over in Bluffton, how is it walking into one of the biggest tournaments in the world that's only a few hours away from where you live?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, we knew this week was going to be a circus in the best possible way, but last week I was able to come here for two practice rounds with nobody out here, so I think just getting yourself used to the grounds before this week was a really big thing to do.

Q. You really came out firing with two birdies right away. How did you calm your nerves and were able to get off to that hot start?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: I don't know. The nerves were definitely there. I was just sticking to our game plan. It's nice to see a few birdies drop early on, get the first birdie out of the way and then you can kind of relax.

I think sometimes you need a bogey in there to settle the nerves and be like, okay, let's get back to work here.

Q. Now that you've seen the whole course during round 1 and been able to play an actual round, what have you learned that you're going to take into round 2 tomorrow?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: I've learned that it's true what they say about the wind changing directions, and there's just nothing you can do about it. You have to do the best you can, hit shots when it feels right. Just a few holes, places you cannot be, places you have to be. I think as you play the course more, you learn where those areas are.

Q. Did you ever think in your journey that a day like today would happen? How did you stick with it to get to this point?

BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, definitely through the last two, three years, the injury, I was questioning am I ever going to play golf again, and that really brought me back down to earth, I'd say.

I think I always knew the potential my game had, but the Masters was a million light years away at that point, so I was just trying to get myself healthy again, strong, and then to win Mexico and to be here is just the cherry on top. I'm excited to be back out here and ready to get to work.