Headline News

Ryan Fox survives four-hole playoff over Sam Burns to capture RBC Canadian Open in Caledon

June 12, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Jim Stewart

Ryan Fox captured the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday afternoon in a four-hole playoff with Sam Burns.

Both were tied at 18 under par after 72 holes of play.

The 2025 champion offered a self-deprecating view of his playoff versus Burns—a five-time winner on the PGA Tour: “To be honest, Sam and I had a bit of a pillow fight for three holes.  But that shot I hit on 18—that 3-wood—was probably the best shot I’ve ever hit.”

The New Zealander’s impressive approach from the 18^th fairway set him up for an eagle putt, but he settled for a birdie to vanquish Burns—the clubhouse leader and LSU product who held a one-stroke lead over the field for over two hours.

Burns shot a sizzling -8 on Sunday and it appeared that the Canadian Open Trophy would have his name inscribed on it. However, Fox birdied 13 and 14 on his way to the 18^th where he rolled in his pressure-packed third birdie in six holes to force the two-man playoff.

Fox’s gutsy charge and dramatic win at TPC Toronto Osprey Valley was his second PGA victory in five weeks. He captured the Myrtle Beach Classic in May—also in a playoff.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, BC was awarded The Rivermead Cup as the lowest-scoring Canadian at TPC Toronto. Taylor cobbled together a 3-under par 67 on Sunday to tie for 13^th at 13 under par.

The 2023 Canadian Open champion expressed disappointment about his final round performance, but was appreciative of the award.

“I’ll take some pride in that.  It stings with the finish today, but I’m happy I gave it a run. It didn’t pan out this time, but if that’s a consolation prize, it’s nice. I thought 17-under would be in a playoff potentially, but being given a chance with a few holes to go is what you’re looking for.”

The RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto Osprey Valley was all a golf fan could be looking for, even though a native son such as Taylor did not hoist the trophy in 2025.  It was a thrill to watch eight Canadians march up the 18^th fairway to appreciative applause from the thousands of fans ringing the final hole. 

A record-tying number of Canadians made the cut and their play showed the depth of golf talent in this country.

Matthew Anderson of Mississauga, ON, was the first Canuck to embrace the 18^th hole “homecoming.”

The fans assembled around the green and the three adjacent grandstands were not as rowdy as “The Rink” denizens over on the 14th, but they were equally enthusiastic at welcoming each of the Canadian players to their 72^nd green of the tournament.

Anderson—after his playing partner Jeremy Paul dialed in his approach within two feet of the pin—wedged his approach less than 8 feet of the target.  The 24-year-old made no mistake on his putt—jarring his birdie with Mounties Nicole Noonan and Murray Farrow overseeing his fine effort and offering their congratulations as he exited the sun-drenched 18^th. Anderson’s birdie pulled him even for a Final Round of 70 and he tied for 47^th place at 7 under par.

Listowel’s Corey Conners strolled up the 18^th to much louder applause and responded in kind by firing a dart to within two feet aside the pin.  Conners did not disappoint the crowd—he jarred his birdie to finish the day on a high note.

The PGA veteran finished the Final Round with a 68 and tied for 28^th place at 10 under par.

Ben Silverman of Thornhill followed Conners’ lead, flew his approach on 18 exactly two feet from the hole and rolled in his birdie, too—punctuating the made putt with a wee fist pump that endeared the 37-year-old to the Canadian fans.  Silverman’s birdie gave him a -1 final round and he accrued a -9 over the tournament to finish in a tie for 36^th.

Richard T. Lee—who is not a PGA player but is currently ranked third on The Asian Tour – followed Conners and Silverman in a parade of Canadians up the 18th.

The 34-year-old, born in Richmond Hill and raised in Vancouver, created a birdie opportunity with his approach shot, but his 18-footer leaked left for a tap-in par. Lee rose as high as a tie for third place after the second round of the Canadian Open during which he fired a 66 and exploded into the consciousness of Canadian golf fans.  His score of 70 on Sunday dropped him into a tie with Silverman for 36^th with a 9 under par for the tournament.

As Shane Lowry meandered up the 18^th, Steve the Leprechaun stirred to life in his front row, greenside chair, but there was no luck of the Irish on Sunday as Lowry bogeyed both 17 and 18 to fall out of contention.

The combustible Lowry’s playing partner on Sunday was Taylor, who rocketed a fairway wood to within ten feet above the 18th pin. The crowd saluted Taylor’s long effort with hearty applause, but the 2023 champ rolled his birdie effort a little left for a tap-in par.

The crowd reserved its loudest cheer for the Dynamic Canadian Duo of the day.  Playing partners Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, both parred the 18^th and finished Round Four with 70.  Hadwin and Pendrith finished in a tie for 28^th at 10 strokes under par.

MacKenzie Hughes rounded out the Canadian contingent of eight and was greeted with warm applause as he stepped on to the green at 18 and tapped in his par to end a frustrating day on the links.  The Dundas, ON, native shot a +1 on Sunday and finished at -11 for the tournament in a tie for 24^th.

Although no Canadian made a big final round charge nor finished in the Top Ten at this year’s national professional tournament, it’s evident that there is a Golden Age of Golf emerging in Canada.

It was equally evident that TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is a perfect place to host the RBC Canadian Open with its sprawling, picturesque, and hilly track.

Golf Canada seems to have a similarly favourable impression of the golf course and its splendid facilities.  Luckily for locals, the RBC Canadian Open is slated for a return to northwest Caledon in 2026—a delightful turn of events for golfers, spectators, and media alike.

Readers Comments (0)