Chasing Perspective: A Conversation with Pro Golfer Brian Campbell

Currently on the PGA Tour, Campbell talks about focus, wedding plans, and The 2026 Masters

The morning of Saturday, April 11th, I arrived at a well-appointed Airbnb in Augusta, Georgia, roughly 15 minutes from Augusta National Golf Club. The mission: to drop off a handful of magazines to fellow Palomino County writer, Kelsi McKee, so she could sneak some into the hands of unsuspecting future readers during the tournament. 

Her fiancé, Brian Campbell, was mentally preparing for his second to last day of The Masters and had sequestered himself in the upstairs bedroom. Thus, his mother answered the door, still dressed in her morning workout gear but ready to seize the day. I handed her the pile of magazines as Kelsi appeared in the foyer, body glistening head to toe from a fresh round of spray-on sunscreen. I wondered at her vigilance, but would find out later the hard way: the sun finds every nook and crevice of Augusta National, and the trees provide ample shade during some parts of the day, not nearly all. 

Kelsi McKee and Brian Campbell

As we settled into opening pleasantires, Brian’s mother was quick to compliment the magazine and how much they enjoyed reading the recent story about him entitled “Road to The Masters.” I thanked her, then shifted focus.

“What an exciting time for your family. You must be so proud. To be here for the second year in a row. Wow!”

She nodded. Despite her early-on career as a professional ballerina, I could tell she wasn’t the stage mom type. “It is pretty cool to have someone you know playing in the tournament.”

“You mean, your son?” I laughed when I said it, but was also thinking: This must be surreal for her too. Also, it would be weird if she was braggy, so this was clearly the better alternative. Distance from the impressiveness of what she’d accomplished—because as we all know, an athlete’s career is shaped not only by his ability, dedication, and coaching; but by the support of his family and loved ones. 

Given the magnitude of the day for them, and the excitement to experience my very first Masters, we quickly said our goodbyes and agreed to meet on the practice green prior to Brian’s tee time. There, along with one of my colleagues, we would have the opportunity to fold into his entourage of family and friends, while simultaneously soaking in the beauty of the last place on earth that doesn’t allow cell phones. It was magical.

In a conversation following his performance at Augusta National for the 152nd Masters Tournament—where he finished T24 (-2)—I learned a few things that surprised me about his professional “golf journey.” But mostly, after having spent six-plus hours in the sun with his family (including Kelsi’s family) his career, and how he landed amongst the top athletes in his field, made total and utter sense. 

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Rebekah Iliff: Augusta has a way of revealing something new to every player. What did The Masters reveal to you this year, both as a golfer and as a person?

Brian Campbell: It revealed just how special of a place it really is to me personally. Watching it as a kid with my dad and family, you build this vision in your mind of what Augusta is going to feel like. Then you finally get there in person, and honestly, it’s nothing like you imagined—in the best possible way.

It’s crazy because I’ve now played in The Masters twice, and I still found myself soaking everything in. That’s why I wanted my family there all together in the same house that week. Those moments matter.

RI: Was there a specific moment during the tournament that you know you’ll carry with you long after this year?

BC: There were a lot of them. Doing the Par 3 Contest with Kelsi was really special. Somehow we ended up meeting Condoleezza Rice, and Kelsi actually used Condoleezza’s 9-iron during the round. That’s such an Augusta-type story—it feels surreal even saying it out loud.

Then there was the wedge shot on 15 during Saturday’s round. The crowd was going absolutely nuts. You could feel every single person locked into that moment with you. I ended up making birdie there, and that energy was unforgettable.

The chip-in on 11 Sunday was another really cool moment. That one became a big TV highlight, which was awesome.

RI: How did your preparation for Augusta differ from other tournaments this season?

BC: I’ve still been dealing with some shoulder issues, so this year’s preparation looked a little different physically. I’ve had to lean heavily into PT work and make some minor swing adjustments.

Mentally, though, Augusta starts long before you arrive. I was thinking about The Masters probably a month or two ahead of time. We got there early on purpose so we could really immerse ourselves in the environment and prepare the right way.

RI: The Masters is as much mental as physical. What helps you stay grounded when the pressure is at its highest?

BC: Breathing is number one for me. When pressure hits, you start walking faster, talking faster, thinking faster. I try to intentionally slow everything down.

Visualization is huge too. I get creative with the shot in front of me and try to fully picture what I want the ball to do before I swing.

RI: And when things don’t go your way?

BC: You’re allowed to be frustrated because you’ve put so much work into this game. But for me, it comes back to perspective. Yes, I’m out there trying to play my best golf, but it’s still just a game. It’s not who I am, it’s just what I do.

The second a shot happens, I’m already moving on to the next one mentally. You really have to train yourself to reset quickly out there.

RI: Do you have any rituals before a round that help anchor your focus?

BC: I definitely need movement before I play—something to get blood flowing and wake the body up.

The night before, I’m usually marking up golf balls and writing notes in my yardage book. People don’t realize how detailed that process gets. You customize the golf balls so you can identify them immediately during a round because hitting someone else’s ball comes with a penalty.

I also carry a silver dollar coin in my bag that I use to mark my golf ball. It stays in a magnetic pocket in the bag at all times.

RI: Golf can consume so much of your life. How do you stay connected to family during a long season?

BC: Honestly, my family is way more important than golf. These tournament weeks take up a ton of time, but I’ve learned that if I don’t intentionally make space for the people I love—especially Kelsi—it eventually affects everything, including my game.

Sometimes that just means going to dinner together or getting a drink after a round. Staying nearby with family after big tournaments helps too. You need moments where you can shut the golf brain off completely.

Kelsi McKee and Brian Campbell

RI: You’re also planning a wedding right now. Has this season of life changed your perspective on success?

BC: Absolutely. Years ago I probably would’ve said playing in The Masters was the most important day of my life. Now I know getting married is bigger than that.

I’m stepping into a true partnership. Knowing Kelsi has my back gives me peace in every other area of life. I feel incredibly blessed to do what I do while also having people around me who genuinely care about me as a person. My parents have been with me every step of the way, and my brother Derek [a former professional baseball player] is my “hype man.”

My injury also changed my perspective a lot. I used to care only about golf. Now I care about being healthy when I’m 50. I want to be pain-free for my future family and kids someday. Once I started putting life first, success started coming.

RI: What have you learned about partnership that applies both on and off the course?

BC: Open communication and trust are everything. Whether it’s marriage or the relationship between a golfer and caddie, you have to be fully committed to one another. I really believe in direct honesty. You’ve got to be willing to talk things out and respect each other through all of it.

RI: Finally, what advice would you give the next generation of golfers chasing moments like Augusta someday?

BC: Trust your younger self.

When I was little, I played my best golf because I was just having fun. Somewhere along the way, a lot of players lose that freedom because they get caught up in pressure or expectations. The best thing you can do is reconnect with the joy of the game. That’s where your best golf usually lives.

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