Ryan Fox delivered a dramatic finish at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, outlasting Sam Burns in a tense four-hole playoff to claim his second PGA TOUR title in just five weeks. The 38-year-old New Zealander, known for his resilience under pressure, clinched victory with what he called “the best shot I’ve ever hit”—a towering 3-wood to just seven feet on the decisive playoff hole at TPC Toronto.
Fox forced the playoff with a clutch 17-foot birdie on the 72nd hole, matching Burns at 18-under for the tournament. Burns, the 28-year-old American and five-time PGA TOUR winner, had set the clubhouse lead hours earlier after a blistering final-round 62, featuring nine birdies As the field faltered, Fox surged with three birdies in his last five holes, setting up the playoff showdown.
The playoff itself was a battle of nerves, with both players replaying the 18th hole multiple times. On the fourth extra hole, Fox’s precise 3-wood approach made the difference, while Burns missed his eagle chance and failed to convert the follow-up putt. Fox calmly tapped in for birdie and the win.
With this victory, Fox not only took home the $1.764 million winner’s share from the $9.4 million purse, but also joined the ranks of multiple PGA TOUR winners this season, moving up to No. 25 in the FedExCup standings and No. 32 in the world ranking Burns, despite his valiant effort, settled for runner-up and a significant payout as well.
The final leaderboard saw Kevin Yu of Taiwan finish third at 17-under, while Italy’s Matteo Manassero secured a top-10 finish at 15-under The RBC Canadian Open’s 2025 edition will be remembered for its suspenseful conclusion and Fox’s career-defining shot.
Fox, hailing from New Zealand and the son of rugby legend Grant Fox, continues to prove himself as a force on the PGA TOUR, especially when the stakes are highest.
