New father Rafael Campos shed tears of joy after winning the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

The Puerto Rican sank a four-foot par putt on the 18th green to clinch a three-shot victory – his first in 80 appearances on the PGA Tour – before being overcome by the magnitude of the momentous occasion.

“It’s been an unbelievable week, the best week of my life,” said Campos, who produced a final round of 68 in windy conditions to finish on 19 under.

“I am just grateful to be able to call myself a PGA Tour champion. This is something I have dreamt about my whole life.”

The 36-year-old arrived on the island with his PGA Tour status hanging by a thread, having entered the tournament outside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings at 147th. However, with this victory, he vaulted up to 80th, securing his tour card for the next two years.

“That was something that had been bothering me for the last six months,” added Campos, who pocketed $1.2 million in prize money for his efforts.

“I am just extremely happy to be a champion and not have to worry about where I’m going to be playing for the next couple of years. Now, fortunately, I can just go out and enjoy playing golf.”

The victory capped an extraordinary week for Campos, who had also become a father following the birth of his daughter, Paola, six days earlier.

“I am just extremely grateful to have had this opportunity, especially during such an unbelievable week with my daughter,” he said. “It has been a surreal week and was clearly meant to be.”

Campos is only the second Puerto Rican to win on the PGA Tour, following the late Chi Chi Rodríguez, who passed away in August at the age of 88.

“Chi Chi was an inspiration for us. I only got to spend time with him a few times, but I know for a fact that back home they’re celebrating like crazy right now,” he said.

“I can’t wait to go back home and sit down with family and friends to celebrate what happened this week.”

Campos started the final round sharing a one-shot lead with American Andrew Novak at 16 under.

American Justin Lower joined the leaders after sinking a birdie on the first hole, which he then claimed outright after Campos and Novak carded bogeys on the 4th and 5th holes.

Campos bounced back brilliantly from the early setback by rolling in a birdie at No 6 and then an eagle on the next hole to share the lead with Lower, who also birdied No 7.

Former Korn Ferry Tour player Campos regained the outright lead after Lower carded a double bogey at No 8. However, he couldn’t maintain his advantage, making the turn tied with a rallying Novak at the summit at 17 under.

Campos then pulled ahead for good, securing a healthy three-shot advantage after carding successive birdies at Nos 10 and 11.

Lower’s hopes all but ended after carding consecutive bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes, while Novak battled on, reducing the deficit to two shots with a birdie at No 17. Campos responded with a birdie on the same hole.

However, that was the closest Novak would get, as he bogeyed the final hole, leaving Campos to finish with plenty of breathing room.

“Rafa played great,” said runner-up Novak, who ended the round as he had begun, at 16 under.

“I gave it a good shot today, but I missed so many putts, so many short ones.

“The greens haven’t been cut since Friday; it’s blowing 30mph, and even two-foot putts weren’t safe. It was so scary today.”

Belgian Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Mark Hubbard finished tied for third, one shot further back at 15 under.

Séamus Power, the 2022 champion, shot the lowest round of the day with a 65, which included four birdies and an eagle.

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