– Matteo Manassero (-14) and Ryan Fox (-14) are the co-leaders of the RBC Canadian Open after the third round, having both carded identical rounds of 64, six under par for the day, each with seven birdies and just one bogey. However, it would be too bold, almost foolish, to think that these two players will battle it out for the victory at the North Course of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, because if there’s one thing about this Canadian Open, it’s that the top of the leaderboard is very tight: fifteen players will start tomorrow within three shots of the lead, and two dozen will do so within four shots on a course where, as has been seen, scores in the low sixties are possible and comebacks can be the order of the day.
– The excellent performance of Fox doesn’t catch anyone off guard right now. The Australian is one of those players who makes the most of his good runs of form and recently won for the first time on the PGA Tour a few weeks ago (Myrtle Beach Classic). He will be looking for his second victory on the world’s best tour tomorrow, which could see him break into the top thirty of the FedEx Cup, those who qualify for the grand finale, and certainly secure his place in the early playoff rounds.
– Manassero hasn’t been seen much at the top this year in his American adventure. Some predicted (including the undersigned, for example) that the Italian, once he secured his playing rights on the PGA Tour last year through the DP World Tour, would design a demanding but conservative schedule, with small tours on both circuits, keeping his options open in his ‘comfort zone’, which is certainly the European circuit. Not at all: Matteo embraced the challenge with great enthusiasm, and his commitment to playing in the United States was (and remains) determined. Manassero is playing his thirteenth tournament of the year 2025 in Canada this week, and twelve of them have been on the PGA Tour. In fact, it wasn’t until two weeks ago, in Belgium (Soudal Open), that he was seen for the first time this year at a European circuit event. The Italian has made appearances here and there across the Atlantic, but without managing to close out a really solid week (his best result on the PGA Tour this year to date is a notable 25th at the Farmers and a 12th at the Zurich Classic, partnering with Chilean Del Solar), but this week he seems determined to make the most of his big gamble.
– Manassero hit some drives today that approached three hundred metres in distance, with his unique ability to make the ball run like a hare, but in this area, he will never be among the most outstanding, as is well known. The segment of the game where he is truly excelling this week is in his approach shots. Matteo’s classic iron play. And those wedges with full distance control. He is leading the SG:Approach to Green statistics by a wide margin in Canadian territory and it is truly a delight to watch him hit flag after flag (nearly ninety percent of greens in regulation, 46/54, in the three rounds played). Had he been a bit sharper with the putter in his hands, he could be leading with a comfortable advantage.
– In a few days, likely no more than two weeks, the Italian is going to become a father, and at first glance, it seems like a magnificent idea to celebrate the event with his first victory on the PGA Tour in the bag… Whatever happens tomorrow, this player now finds it very easy to see the bright side of any situation, no matter how frustrating it may seem, after having endured and navigated that endless journey through the desert, those years when he kept falling in the rankings, unable to compete with confidence. Seen in this light, his victory in a PGA Tour event, one that also has roots and history, would be like closing another circle. There would be a few more, such as the Ryder Cup… If he wins tomorrow, he would probably break into the top ten in the European team qualification list.
