After unimaginable personal tragedy, Camilo Villegas is a champion again

On the brink of stillness, Camilo Villegas paused, peering down at the hole where the ball had finally come to rest. With a gentle bellow, he raised his right fist to the sky and murmured softly, “Mia, thanks for inspiring me.”

Almost a decade and 8,496 holes later, Villegas finally returned to his winning ways at the Bermuda Championship earlier this month, securing a two-stroke victory. His journey back to the top was a tale of injury, faltering form, and a fight to retain his Tour status, but it was also marked by personal tragedy.

On July 26, 2020, Villegas and his wife Maria lost their 22-month-old daughter Mia after a grueling battle with tumors on the brain and spine. “She was a very little kid, full of energy, and everything seemed to be going in the perfect direction,” Villegas reflected to CNN Sport’s Patrick Snell. “But trust me, life goes in circles and it takes sharp bends – things change.”

In the wake of Mia’s passing, players and staff began donning rainbow ribbons at tournaments in honor of Mia’s love of rainbows. For Villegas, who had considered leaving the sport following a debilitating right shoulder injury in 2018, Mia’s legacy became the driving force behind his decision to continue competing.

Less than a month after Mia’s passing, Villegas returned to the course, finding inspiration in the rainbow-adorned ribbons and the memory of his daughter. As he describes it, “It actually kept the engine going, kept that motivation going to continue to grind.”

With hope in his heart, Villegas and Maria established the Mia’s Miracles foundation, aiding US and Colombian families navigating similar medical crises with young children. The foundation raised over $750,000, a testament to the Villegas’ ability to transform personal tragedy into inspiration for others.

As momentum quietly built, Villegas’ life changed once more with the birth of his son, Mateo, whose birthtime bore a striking synchronicity with Mia’s. Heading into the new season, Villegas found himself outside the world’s top 600, prompting drastic changes in his approach. His efforts came to fruition in an unforgettable November when he triumphed at the Bermuda Championship.

In a symbolic tribute to Mia, Villegas credited the two traits tattooed on his wrists – ‘positive energy’ and ‘attitude’ – for his success. He remains steadfast in his determination to honor Mia’s legacy, and following his victory, he directed a substantial charity donation toward Mia’s Miracles.

“Mia is here with us all the time and that will be the case forever,” Villegas declared. “We’ve got a little angel up there looking at us and there’s a big connection. We’ll keep going, we’ll keep grinding, we’ll keep giving it our best, and Mia will be watching.”

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.