Brian Campbell

More than a decade after making his major debut as an amateur at the US Open, Brian Campbell plays his first Open following victory at the John Deere Classic.

The win - his second title of the season - came following a play-off with Emiliano Grillo and ensured he jumped from 115th to 55th in the world, sealing his spot at Royal Portrush as a result.

In February he was involved in another sudden death shoot-out at the Mexico Open, on that occasion defeating Aldrich Potgieter with a second hole birdie.

Campbell was the leading amateur in the 2015 US Open, finishing joint 27th, but did not play another major until last year.

In between he battled various injuries and disappointments on the Korn Ferry Tour and elsewhere.

It all began to change after a quintuple bogey on a par three at the PGA Tour qualifying school three years ago.

“I thought my career was over,” he said. “That night I just kind of had a talk with myself and the next round I shot eight under.”