THE MODERATOR: All right, good morning. We would like to welcome the defending champion of the John Deere Classic, Brian Campbell, to the interview room. Brian, great memories made here last year. What's it like to be back in the Quad Cities?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Honestly just special. Brings back all the memories. It's crazy to think it was a year ago. Really feels a little quicker than that.
But we're back, staying at the same place, trying to eat the same food and repeat last year.
THE MODERATOR: Any particular memories you had from last year, having so much support from your Illinois community?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Just the fans and the environment and the course. Getting back out there yesterday was pretty special. Just my caddie and my agent out there walking some of the back nine holes remembering what this felt like.
So very cool.
THE MODERATOR: First title defense here. How would you assess the state of your game heading into this week?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, been working on a lot of the swing stuff, but we're ready to compete each and every week, so I'm just excited to kind of get going.
THE MODERATOR: Open it up to questions.
Q. You said you're trying to eat the same food as last year. What did you have last year that was maybe the secret sauce?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: I mean, we went to this Korean barbecue place, a steakhouse. Where else did we go? Hate to say it, but we got Panda Express early in the week, so we had to do that again but now we're past that and we're going to try to eat a little bit better. Yeah.
Q. Obviously a multiple-time winner on the PGA TOUR. What have you learned about yourself in the last year golf game-wise, personally, anything?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, it's been a whirlwind of a year. I think just kind of learning to trust myself in situations on the golf course has been huge. You know, we go through a lot playing these weeks and it can take a lot out of you, but was happy to see some of the work rewarded last year, and just kind of rolling with that.
Q. You said that you're trying to keep things the same as last year. Does it feel different being back on this property as a defending champ?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, definitely. You're going to be noticed a little bit more. You're saying hi to a lot of people. The energy is a little different so you got to get used to that. At the end of the day we're always just trying to treat it like any other week and I think that's what a lot of guys will say. That's what we honestly try to do, is yes there is a lot of changes, but we're just trying to go out there and put four days of golf together.
Q. When we talked to you a month ago on media day you talked about working through the injuries and things like that. Where are you in that process now? 100 percent healthy, ready to go?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: We are very close. So I've been working really hard. Have had to incorporate some swing changes, and when you're trying to do that playing competitively can be difficult.
So closer than ever to kind of feeling more normal and being able to swing more freely, so that's kind of something I'm continuing to chase, because I know my best golf follows with that.
Q. Couple of good rounds last week at River Highlands. Does that give you a little more confidence coming in here this week now?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah.
Q. Did you find something last week?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, I think, you know, I kind of changed a little bit of my putting approach actually. I had to -- you know, posture stuff, little tinkering things like that, and kind of changed a few things early in that week.
I saw a really good round, really good putting round I think it was Friday, and then -- but, yeah, you always have to kind of put more work in to get that solidified.
Definitely pulling a lot of the confidence from last week.
Q. What are some things you'll assess as the week progresses in terms of being defensive or more aggressive maybe early in in the rounds, Thursday, Friday, and as you get into the rounds on the weekend?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, definitely green speed but completely weather dependent. You know, is it going to be hot and windy? We might see a different test than last year. You kind of have to, as you go -- you know, this place can change really quickly. If we have a random rain storm then all of a sudden the whole course changes.
That's one of the beauties of this place is you have to learn to adapt on the go. I'm excited to see either one to be honest. Nice hot and firm golf course would you a nice test.
Q. Brian, just curious, with all the new changes coming to the PGA TOUR, you're a guy that's seen both sides of that coin. Played in all the Signature Events; spent a lot of time on the Korn Ferry TOUR playing in the opposite field events. Do you have a take on the new structure that's coming in 2028?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: I'm learning just as quickly as you guys are to be honest, so we don't really know a whole lot. The only thing I've seen is I think we're keeping a really competitive structure, and that's what us players like to see.
Q. Playing off that, Brian, with the Champions and Challengers Series that are set to pop in, there is a possibility that you may not be able to come back here as a past champ. Presuming you are in the Championship Series. What are your thoughts on that? What does that mean to you? How do you process that?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Honestly, that's just really far away for me to kind of think about. We're here this week. Obviously I would love to come back every single year if I could, but I think it does us better if we think about more what's happening this week and even this year.
We have a lot to play for the rest of this year and even next year. I think a lot of us are thinking that is a long time away. There is a lot to think about with the new changes, but we're just excited to be here for this tournament this week.
Q. Brian, it's tradition that the winner we John Deere Classic wins a John Deere Gator. Have you put yours to use?
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Yeah, it's been difficult because I live in a townhome area, and so we've ripped it around the neighborhood a little bit. So it's been really fun, but it's in my garage and just ready to be taken out again.
THE MODERATOR: Good luck this week. Thanks for the time.
BRIAN CAMPBELL: Thank you.
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