Bud Cauley held off world No. 4 Matt Fitzpatrick to claim an inspirational maiden PGA TOUR win eight years after a car accident threatened to end his career.
On his 239th start on the circuit, the 36-year-old American came into the final round at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley a shot behind overnight leader and fellow countryman Jackson Suber who held onto the lead throughout the front nine. However, the back nine saw the momentum shift. Cauley hit a run of three consecutive birdies from the 11th to wrestle control of the event. He stretched his lead further with another birdie at the 15th to enter the closing stages four-shot clear. Despite a late scare at the 17th thanks to a bogey, which opened the door slightly ajar to the likes of Fitzpatrick, who stormed up the leaderboard on the day, Cauley held his nerve ultimately close with a 5-under 65 to end on 17 under and seal a two-shot victory.
The victory prompted emotional celebrations for Cauley and his family, given the adversity he has overcome in recent years. In 2018, he sustained serious injuries in a car accident in Dublin, Ohio, including five fractured ribs, a broken left leg and a collapsed lung. Although he returned to competitive action later that season, further medical setbacks in September 2020 forced him away from professional golf, and he did not make another professional start until a Korn Ferry Tour event in January 2024.
Reflecting on the achievement, Cauley said: “There were times when I was hurt that we weren’t really sure if I was going to be able to play again.
“Just so many people helped me get here and I’m just really thankful for all the help that I’ve gotten.
“Once I got the opportunity to start playing again I just told myself that I was going to try to just do everything the right way and give myself the best chance.
“I put my wife through so much during those dark times and it’s just nice to have a little success as a kind of a thank you.”
Fitzpatrick’s final-round 64, including an eagle at the last, propelled him 10 places to finish in second on 15 under.
“I would have taken it at the start of the week,” Fitzpatrick said. “I felt like there was a lot of good stuff in there, just needed to have it come out. My putting was a little bit of a struggle last week and I feel like I got a bit of a better process for what I’m working on this week, and that showed today, I putted really solid.”
Norway’s Viktor Hovland completed the top-3 after carding a final-round 65 to end a shot further back on 14 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the OGA TOUR schedule is the U.S. Open taking place between 18-21 June at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York.