Ryan Fox on the 18th hole during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ont. on Sunday.Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox hoisted the RBC Canadian Open trophy on Sunday, and he worked some serious overtime to win it.
The 38-year from Auckland earned his second career victory on the PGA Tour at TPC Toronto, prevailing over American Sam Burns after duelling through four dramatic playoff holes.
“It’s such an iconic tournament,” said Fox, of Canada’s national open, played since 1904. “There’s so much history here, to get my name on that trophy is an amazing moment.”
As Canadian Open winner, Fox takes home the US$1.764-million prize, the biggest share of the tournament’s US$9.8-million purse.
For much of the day, it looked like Burns would be the one to claim that prize. While Fox and Italy’s Matteo Manassero began the day as co-leaders at 14-under, 22 players sat within four shots of them.
Burns shot a scorching eight-under 62 Sunday, finished in the mid-afternoon at 18-under for the tournament, and left the 18th green as the clubhouse leader. The 28-year-old American then sat watching anxiously for a few hours as a swarm of golfers tried to catch him on the leaderboard.
As the day wore on, Fox was the man to catch Burns at 18-under 262 by birdieing three of his last five holes in regulation, including a clutch putt on 18 to force the playoff.
“I had some great shots to get into that playoff,” Fox said.
While he waited, Burns had been grabbing a bite to eat, hanging out with his toddler son Bear, and hitting the range to be ready for playoff holes.
Fox and Burns locked into the sudden-death playoff, repeatedly playing the same par-five 18th hole at TPC Toronto, zipping up and down the fairway repeatedly as thousands crowded to watch.
Fox takes home the US$1.764-million prize, the biggest share of the tournament’s $9.8-million purse.Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press
Members of New Zealand’s All Whites football team were there wildly cheering for Fox. They’re in Toronto playing a Canadian Shield tournament that includes Ivory Coast, Ukraine and Canada’s men’s soccer team.
“To have the Kiwi support out there, it was great. They were there all day,” said Fox. “To have the All Whites say, ‘Hey, is there any chance we can come out and watch on Sunday?’ was really cool. To be able to meet them all there at the end and get a photo with them was pretty special. Hopefully that buoys them on a little bit for their game against Ukraine on Tuesday.”
Fox comes from a successful sports family, including his father Grant Fox, who helped the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup in 1987. Back when Fox first took up golf, his father had caddies for him and “it felt like I had a little bit of a sport psychologist in my corner.”
That mindset was handy during Sunday’s four playoff holes between Fox and Burns, with a mix of mediocre and impressive shots. When a winner wasn’t declared after two holes, the grounds crew came out to move the hole location, and then they played it two more times until Fox finally two-putted in for the win and pumped his fist, then he scooped up his two small children to celebrate.
“We had a couple of scrappy holes there,” said Fox.
“Then to hit the shot I hit on 18 on the fourth playoff, it was pretty surreal. It’s the best shot I’ve ever hit in my life. There’s nothing close to that.”
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox beat American Sam Burns in a four-hole playoff to win the RBC Canadian Open, his second PGA Tour victory. The first was the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic, which he also won in a playoff. (June 9, 2025)
The Canadian Press
As for the homegrown talent at the tournament, Nick Taylor was the low Canadian – the same golfer who famously won the tournament in 2023 with an iconic 72-foot eagle putt, ending a 69-year run without a homegrown champ.
This time Taylor carded a three-under 67 Sunday and finished at 13-under, tied for 13th place. The native of Abbotsford, B.C. had put himself into the T2 spot late in his round with birdies on 14 and 16. But then a double bogey on the 17th hole spoiled his chances at catching Burns.
“It stings with the finish today, but I’m happy I gave it a run,” said Taylor.
Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. finished tied for 27th. Hughes had been just two shots back of the leaders when he woke up on Sunday. Teeing off before a loud Canadian crowd, he birdied the first hole and the day looked promising. But that was Hughes’ only birdie of the round, and he shot a two-over par 72.
Other Canadians – Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, and Taylor Pendrith all tied in 27th, while Richard Lee and Ben Silverman tied in 36th and Matthew Anderson 47th.
This week marked the first time TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley played host to the Canadian Open, and the venue is slated to hold it again in 2026.
The best PGA golfers now head to Oakmont, Pa. for the U.S. Open. Fox has earned a spot in that tournament.
Asked how he was going to celebrate Sunday night, Fox chuckled and said: “I‘m going to figure out how to get to Oakmont first. Probably get my kids to bed and find a glass of red wine.”