It’s not easy to win the hearts of golf fans. And, when you fail to win a title? Harder still. Remarkably, one 41-year-old PGA Tour pro got the support and praise that even eludes the winners. The veteran golfer too, chose to return the love in kind after the match was done and dusted.

After a down-to-the-wire battle at the WWT Championship in Mexico, this Latin American pro set an example when he stayed back to sign autographs for fans. That image quickly became viral on social media reaching millions of golf fans worldwide. Love came from all corners of the globe soon.

The PGA Tour Pro suffers a defeat, yet wins the hearts of golf fans

Unless you’re a golf lover from the 2000s, Camilo Villegas is not a name you might be very familiar with. The Colombian golfer, who rose like a star in the early 2000s, has only four PGA Tour victories to his name. His last glorious moment came way back in 2014 at the Wyndham Classic. 

Nine years and a heartbreaking tragedy later, the golfer once again found himself at the doorsteps of a PGA Tour Victory. Fans were cheering for him throughout. It was a battle they wanted the Colombian star to win. But a title win was hard to come by at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal course.

Despite Villegas leading into the fourth round, South African Erik Van Rooyen came from behind to eagle on the 18th hole and take home $1.476 million. But that didn’t deter Villegas from appreciating the fans’ support. He took a chair and sat in front of the fans after the tournament ended to sign autographs.

When that picture went viral on social media, Villegas’ fanbase grew in leaps and bounds. The ‘class act’ from the four-time PGA Tour winner melted everyone’s heart. 

How the world showered love on Camilo Villegas

Villegas lost his 22-month-old daughter to a brain tumor in 2020. The tragedy almost forced him out of the greens for some time. However, the veteran golfer came back to the greens on his wife’s bidding. Fans haven’t forgotten it. “I wanted him to win so bad – tragic what he went his baby – champion also very emotional with right reasons with his caddie.” 

Read More: Who is Camilo Villegas? All You Need to Know About the Veteran Colombian Golfer

Villegas has always enjoyed popular support for his gentle nature. This fan was right when he said, “A man of the people. Winner as always.” 

The Colombian golfer was sure to enjoy some more support in his neighboring country. “So happy to see him playing well and especially in Latin America where I’m sure he gets extra special love,”  one fan pointed out.

The PGA Tour pro is famous for his putting-reading pose that makes him look like a famous Marvel superhero. It has also earned him the monicker, ‘Spider-Man’ among fans. “We missed this due. OGs remember his classic name – Spider Man.”

One fan was fortunate to work at a PGA Tour event he was playing. Villegas’ behavior has still left an indelible impact on him.“I worked in (the) BMW Championship in ‘09 and one thing that stood out was how much of a class act @camilovillegasofficial was to all of us… absolute salt of the earth.”

That was not the first time. Villegas has always been kind to his fans. This man has always been great with his fans,” wrote a fan who has been following golf for a long time.

Although the Latin American star couldn’t win the title, he would be happy to go back home with so much love on his side. More power to you, Villegas.

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