New Zealand’s Ryan Fox capped off a dramatic four-hole playoff with a blistering 3-wood to within 7 feet on Sunday, securing victory at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and earning his second PGA Tour title in just five weeks. The winning moment came on the fourth extra hole against American Sam Burns at TPC Toronto’s Osprey Valley, in what Fox called “probably the best shot I’ve ever hit.”
Fox, who also claimed victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic last month, delivered when it mattered most. After a grueling sequence of playoff holes where both players struggled to close, Fox finally broke the deadlock with a fearless approach shot on the par-5 18th. While Burns pulled his own 3-wood some 55 feet off target and missed both his eagle and birdie attempts, Fox two-putted for birdie and sealed the win.
“To be honest, Sam and I had a bit of a pillow fight for three holes,” Fox admitted. “But that shot I hit on 18, that 3-wood — it was probably the best shot I’ve ever hit. Would’ve loved to sink the putt, but I’ll take the win.”
Fox had forced the playoff earlier with a clutch 18-foot birdie putt during regulation play, finishing with a 4-under 66 to tie Burns at 18-under 262. Burns had already posted a scorching 62, finishing two hours ahead as clubhouse leader.
The playoff replayed the 18th hole four times, with the PGA Tour even adjusting the pin position midway through the playoff to increase the difficulty. The first three trips down the stretch were marked by missed putts, awkward lies, and tentative swings — including one moment where Fox’s approach nearly trickled into the water but was saved by the collar of rough.
Ultimately, it was the fourth time around that Fox delivered the moment of magic that ended the stalemate. With this win, the 38-year-old vaulted from No. 75 to No. 32 in the Official World Golf Ranking, securing his spot in next week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Kevin Yu finished solo third at 17-under after a final-round 66, narrowly missing both the playoff and a chance to qualify for the U.S. Open. However, Yu, along with Cameron Young and Matt McCarty, earned entry into The Open Championship next month as the top three finishers not already exempt.
Fox, who already qualified for The Open with his BMW PGA Championship win in 2023, now boasts eight career victories across global tours — including two PGA Tour wins, four on the DP World Tour, and two in Australasia.
For Burns, the heartbreak continues. The American was looking to end a two-year winless drought, with his last win coming at the WGC Match Play in 2023.
Cameron Young, who tied for fourth after a final-round 65, came tantalizingly close. A heroic par save on the 17th kept his hopes alive, but an aggressive 3-wood on 18 flew through the green and into the trees, turning a potential birdie into a bogey.
“I thought in the air I had a 12-footer to win,” Young said afterward. “Instead, I’m grinding just to make par. I’m pretty upset.”
For Fox, though, it’s a season of momentum and magic — with another dazzling finish to add to his growing legend on the PGA Tour.