– Ryan Fox (-18) has won the RBC Canadian Open by securing a birdie on the fourth playoff hole against Sam Burns (-18). The Australian thus achieves his second victory on the PGA Tour in less than a month (having won the Myrtle Beach Classic in May) and reaches the 25th position in the FedEx Cup. Moreover, with this triumph, he also breaks into the top 60 of the world ranking, earning a spot in next week’s US Open at the last moment.
– In the aforementioned fourth playoff hole (all played on the 18th hole, par 5, at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, although the last two with a different pin), Fox left himself a great eagle opportunity, although the birdie was ultimately enough.
– Before the final outcome, of course, many things had happened. For example, Fox missed a birdie putt of no more than two metres on the 17th, yet then holed one from about five metres on the 18th to force the playoff. Burns, at that moment, had already been in the clubhouse or on the practice field for nearly two hours, after having made the round of the day with a scorecard of 62 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, which almost surprised everyone.
– Burns currently appears as the best player on the PGA Tour in 2025 in the SG:Putting statistic. Not only that: in the previous five seasons, he always finished as one of the top ten in that statistic, which might lead us to conclude that if he isn’t the best putter in the world, he’s not far off. However, in the first playoff hole, he missed a one-and-a-half-metre putt for birdie that would have given him the victory; and in the final playoff hole, the decisive one, he missed another short birdie putt that could have taken both players to a fifth playoff hole. Quite a paradox. Almost nonsensical, considering this green killer, although the American is much more than a great putter: the Sunday 62 he signed was forged, in fact, in a display with irons and especially wedges. His sixth victory on the PGA Tour will have to wait, although he hasn’t won in two years. There’s no room for everyone in the winners’ apartment, much less if his close friend Scottie Scheffler is taking it all…
– Fox’s victory, beyond the disappointment of the other contenders, is one that leaves most people satisfied. The Australian is what you would call a splendid sportsman and an excellent companion. It’s also certainly appreciated that the fastest guy on the course (you should see how he plays, like a flash, blink and you miss it) succeeds. It doesn’t seem like his example will spread, but just in case.
– The scorecard of 69 by Matteo Manassero (-15) has clearly been insufficient. The Italian hasn’t been consistent from the tee and tangled in that battle, he couldn’t enjoy himself as much with the irons and wedges, an area of the game where he had been giving lessons in previous rounds. Nevertheless, his sixth-place finish could be the start of the comeback he needs to maintain his PGA Tour playing rights.
