Ryan Fox captured his second PGA TOUR title in dramatic fashion, defeating American Sam Burns in a tense four-hole play-off at the RBC Canadian Open.
The 38-year-old, whose only previous win on the PGA TOUR came at last month’s ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, entered the final round at TPC Toronto with a share of the lead alongside Italy’s Matteo Mannassero. He went on to card a bogey-free 66 including three birdies in the final five holes to force a play-off with Burns who himself shot up the leaderboard on the Sunday thanks to nine birdies helping him card an 8-under 62 for the clubhouse lead on 18 under.
The duo returned to the par-five 18th for the play-off and they couldn’t be separated in their first two attempts after both made par. Prior to their third attempt, the location of the pin was adjusted but despite the change, the pair remained inseperable as both parred out once more. However, on the fourth attempt, Fox upped a gear with an impressive 259-yard drive he later admitted was “probably the best shot I’ve ever hit” on his way to making birdie as Burns, who was searching for a sixth career PGA TOUR win, failed to match the New Zealander to secure Fox his second triumph in two months.
“It was very hard-fought,” said Fox. “I was pretty lucky to make that putt in regulation [at the 18th]. It just snuck in.
“I didn’t hit a couple of great shots in play-off and Sam let me off there the first time around.
“Nice to hit a good one that fourth time…nice to do it in these circumstances.”
Taiwan’s Chun-An Yu concluded the tournament in third on 17 under, a result which has sealed his place at The 153rd Open. American duo Cameron Young and Matt McCarty also cemented their places at Royal Portrush thanks to their T4 finishes. Overnight co-leader Mannassero could only settle with a T6 finish alongside American Andrew Putnam and South Korea’s Byeong-Hun An on 15 -under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR, following the U.S. Open, is the Travelers Championship taking place between 19-22 June at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut.