Ryan Fox of New Zealand won for the second time in five weeks on the PGA Tour with another memorable shot in a playoff, this time a 3-wood to 7 feet on the fourth extra hole Sunday to beat Sam Burns in the RBC Canadian Open.
Fox won the Myrtle Beach Classic last month by chipping in for birdie to win a three-man playoff. This one on the TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley took a little longer.
What turned out to be the winning shot might be more memorable. Fox smoked a 3-wood that landed softly just left of the pin and settled 7 feet away. Burns pulled his 3-wood some 55 feet left of the front right pin. He ran his eagle putt 8 feet by and missed that one.
Fox missed his eagle try before tapping in for birdie.
“To be honest, Sam and I had a bit of a pillow fight for three holes,” Fox said. “But that shot I hit on 18, that 3-wood, was probably the best shot I’ve ever hit. It would have been nice to make the putt. But hey, I’ll take it.”
Fox holed a birdie putt from just inside 18 feet on the par-5 18th in regulation for a 4-under 66 that allowed him to join Burns at 18-under 262. Burns had finished some two hours earlier with a birdie on the final hole for a 62.
They played the 18th four more times — the PGA Tour moved the pin position from far left to front right after two extra holes — and there was nothing compelling about the extra holes.
Burns, regarded as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, had a birdie putt from just over 5 feet on the first playoff for the win. He left that out to the right. The next time down 18, Fox went for the green and pushed his 3-wood. The collar of rough stopped it from going in the water. He pitched to 12 feet and had that birdie putt for the win but left it a foot short.
Pillow fight, indeed.
On the third time playing the 18th in overtime, Burns had a lob wedge that was short and to the right, spinning off the green and nearly into the water. Fox hit his 40 feet out to the right. They both made par.
Fox delivered the goods on the final hole and now has two wins in just over a month. The victory moved the 38-year-old Fox from No. 75 to No. 32 in the world, getting him into the U.S. Open next week for being among the top 60 in the world ranking.
Kevin Yu birdied the last hole for a 66 to finish alone in third, one shot out of the playoff. He narrowly missed out on the top 60 to get to Oakmont next week. But Yu joined Cameron Young and Matt McCarty as earning the top three spots for the British Open next month for players not already eligible.
Fox already was in the British Open from his victory in the BMW PGA Championship in 2023, the flagship event on the European tour. Fox now has eight wins worldwide — two on the PGA Tour, four on the European tour and two on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Burns was hopeful of ending more than two years without a victory, his last title coming in the final year of the World Golf Championships-Match Play in 2023.
Young shot a 65 to tie for fourth. He was within range of Burns when Young made an incredible par on the 17th, going from the trees on the right to mangled left on the rough, gouging that out to 15 feet and making the putt.
But needing birdie on the par-5 closing hole to catch Burns, the clubhouse leader at the time, Young flushed a 3-wood into the breeze and over the green into the trees, leaving him virtually no shot. It took two to get on the green and he made bogey to finish two shots behind.
“I couldn’t have hit two better shots on the last hole. I don’t hit 3-wood that far, and it’s blowing straight into the wind, and it decided to bounce all the way to the back woods,” Young said. “I thought in the air I was going to have about a 12-footer to win the tournament, and it ended up somewhere I was going to struggle to make par, let alone make a 4. Pretty upset.”
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ryan Fox New Zealand’s big hitting golfer comes from a legendary sporting family His father Grant Fox is a rugby icon and the Fox name is synonymous with sporting excellence back home But Ryan chose a different path trading the rugby ball for a set of golf clubs determined to make his own mark on the world stage From an early age Fox showed a natural talent for golf But it was his relentless work ethic and fierce independence that truly set him apart He didn’t just want to play the game He wanted to master it to compete with the best and to forge his own legacy Years spent grinding on the European tour built his reputation for grit and power Fox became known for his booming drives and fearless play earning victories in far-flung corners of the globe Each win was a testament to his determination and every setback only fueled his hunger to improve The RBC Canadian Open one of golf’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments attracts a world-class field and passionate fans Held at TPC Toronto the event is a highlight of the PGA Tour calendar drawing top players from around the world and creating an electric atmosphere that few tournaments can match For Fox this event was more than just another tournament It was a chance to prove himself among the elite especially after his breakthrough PGA Tour win at Myrtle Beach That victory had given him confidence but the Canadian Open represented a new challenge a chance to show he belonged with the very best Arriving at TPC Toronto Fox was in top form his game sharp and his focus unwavering He knew that every shot would count and he was determined to seize a career-defining moment The pressure was immense but Fox thrived on it channeling the energy of the crowd and the weight of history The Canadian Open’s rich history and electric atmosphere made every shot matter The roars of the crowd the challenge of the course and the presence of golf’s biggest names created a stage where legends are made For Fox a win here would be a testament to his perseverance and global journey a symbol of how far he’d come from his roots in New Zealand to the bright lights of the PGA Tour The stage was set for an unforgettable week with Ryan Fox ready to write the next chapter in his remarkable story The final day was pure drama a day that would be remembered for years to come The tension was palpable from the very first T-shot as the world’s best golfers battled not just the course but also their own nerves and the weight of expectation Fans lined the fairways their eyes glued to every swing every putt every moment that could tip the balance Sam Burns renowned for his silky smooth putting stroke put on a masterclass He fired a jaw-dropping 62 10 underpar lighting up the leaderboard and setting a daunting clubhouse lead at 18 under His round was a blend of precision and poise as he rolled in birdie after birdie barely missing a beat The crowd buzzed with excitement sensing they were witnessing something special With his score posted Burns could only wait He watched the action unfold from the clubhouse Nerves etched on his face as one by one contenders fell short But one man remained in the hunt Ryan Fox who was playing the round of his life Fox known for his grit and determination needed a birdie on the final hole to tie Burns As he reached the 18th green the entire tournament seemed to hang in the balance He faced an 18 ft birdie putt One shot with everything on the line and the eyes of the world upon him Calm and focused Fox took a deep breath steadied himself and delivered The ball tracked perfectly dropping into the cup as the crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers and applause It was a moment of pure sporting theater the kind that gives you goosebumps With that clutch putt Fox carded a brilliant 66 matching Burns at 18 under and forcing a sudden death playoff The tension only grew as both men now stood on the brink of glory Burns had set the bar early with a flawless attacking round while Fox delivered under the most intense pressure at the very end Their emotions told the story relief hope and the burning desire to win Their contrasting paths Burn’s early charge Fox’s late heroics created a narrative of two champions on a collision course One surged ahead the other clawed his way back And now they would meet in a thrilling showdown The Canadian Open would be decided not by the scorecard but by a head-to-head battle one hole at a time with everything at stake The atmosphere was electric anticipation building With every passing second the fans packed into the grandstands and lining the fairways could sense history in the making They knew they were about to witness something truly special a finish for the ages two top talents one gleaming trophy and everything to play for The stakes had never been higher and both men were ready to seize their moment The playoff was about to begin and the world was watching breathless with anticipation The playoff began on the 18th hole with tension so thick you could almost feel it in the air Every eye in the gallery was fixed on the green and the players knew that a single mistake could decide the championship The pressure was immense the stakes higher than ever and the atmosphere electric with anticipation Both players managed to find the green in regulation setting up a dramatic finish Burns who had played steady all day now faced a 5-ft putt for the win a putt that would etch his name into the history books if he could convert The crowd grew silent sensing the magnitude of the moment As Burns lined up his putt the world seemed to pause The crowd held its breath barely daring to blink Then in a stunning twist Burns missed Gasps rippled through the gallery disbelief etched on every face What seemed like a sure victory had suddenly slipped away Fox watching intently seized the opportunity He calmly tuted for par showing nerves of steel under the most intense pressure With that the playoff was extended and the battle for the title continued Burns’s miss was more than just a missed putt It was a dramatic shift in momentum Suddenly Fox had new life and the energy on the course changed Burns visibly disappointed tried to regain his composure but the psychological advantage had shifted The playoff took on a new tone Fox would later call it a pillow fight a nod to the back and forth nature of the contest Both players exchanged nervous banter trying to stay loose as the pressure mounted with every shot Even the best golfers in the world can falter when the stakes are highest Burn’s rare miss was a reminder that golf is as much a mental game as a physical one In these moments nerves can override even the most practiced routines Fox relieved to have another chance took a deep breath and mentally reset He knew that the next hole could be his moment and he was determined not to let the opportunity slip away The playoff was far from over The scoreboard reflected the deadlock and the tension only grew as the players prepared to battle again Both players made the walk back to the 18th T their faces a mix of determination and exhaustion The stakes had never been higher and every shot from here on out would be magnified The Canadian Open title still hung in the balance tantalizingly close yet just out of reach for both competitors The trophy gleamed in the sunlight a symbol of everything they had worked for Every shot now carried the weight of victory or defeat The pressure was relentless and the margin for error razor thin The crowd sensed the drama building with each passing moment The battle for the Canadian Open was far from over and everyone knew they were witnessing something unforgettable On the second playoff hole Fox’s approach veered toward the water Disaster loomed Miraculously his ball stopped in thick rough just short of the hazard Fox faced a tough chip while Burns was safely on the green The advantage swung to Burns but Fox recovered giving himself a chance with a 12-oot birdie putt to win Fox missed by inches Both had now missed chances to clinch the title Burns made par and the playoff continued Officials moved the pin for the next hole hoping for a decisive finish The tension only grew as the stalemate persisted The drama was far from over The third playoff hole shifted to the par 3 ninth A new test for both players Both found the green but faced long birdie putts Playing conservatively they lagged their putts close and tapped in for par No mistakes no drama just steady nerves Three playoff holes three ties The crowd was on edge waiting for a breakthrough The deadlock only heightened the suspense Both men showed resilience and focus Back to the 18th they went the pressure mounting The next hole would demand a champions moment The epic battle pressed on The fourth playoff hole returned to the par 518th Familiar ground maximum pressure Burns played safe leaving himself a daunting 55- ft putt Fox sensing his chance unleashed a perfect 3-wood landing just 7 ft from the pin The crowd erupted at the brilliance of the shot Burns three putted for par opening the door wide Fox now had two putts from seven feet for the win He missed the eagle but tapped in for Birdie The playoff was over Fox was champion Arms raised Fox soaked in the roar of the crowd His approach shot was the stuff of legend The Canadian Open had its hero Fox’s composure and skill under pressure sealed the victory It was a finish for the ages Fox called his final approach the best shot I’ve ever hit under pressure The win was his second PGA Tour title in five weeks rocketing him up the world rankings from 75th to 32nd It secured his place in the US Open at Oakmont and the British Open No qualifying needed Fox’s journey from journeyman to elite was complete Eight worldwide wins two on the PGA Tour He was now a global star The victory validated years of hard work and resilience Fox’s reputation soared among peers and fans alike He was no longer just a contender He was a proven champion The Canadian Open win changed everything While Fox and Burns battled others shined at TPC Toronto Kevin Yu finished third earning a spot in the British Open a career-changing result Cameron Young despite a bogey on 18 also qualified for the Open alongside Matt McCarti Defending champ Nick Taylor was low Canadian thrilling home fans with a final round 67 Several Canadians including Connors Pend and Hughes qualified for the US Open The strong Canadian showing energized the crowd and highlighted the nation’s rising golf talent Local players success added to the week’s excitement The tournament showcased the depth of talent on tour It was a celebration of golf at every level Fox’s victory is a story of perseverance and late blooming success At 38 he’s playing the best golf of his life inspiring golfers everywhere Two PGA Tour wins in quick succession have made him a true contender He’s now fully exempt free to chase majors and the sport’s biggest prizes Fox’s triumph lifts New Zealand golf inspiring a new generation back home He’s a proud ambassador carrying his nation’s hopes on the world stage The playoff win was more than a trophy It was a testament to resilience and belief The drama the clutch shots the emotion This is why we love sports Fox’s name is now etched on the Canadian Open trophy A champion’s legacy secured Anything is possible with dedication and
