Ryan Fox triumphs in Canadian Open, enters US Open in hot form

Kiwi Ryan Fox is now No 32 in the world. Photo / Photosport

This time last week, Ryan Fox hadn’t qualified for the US Open.

Now, he’ll go into the third major of the season as one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour.

With his win at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto on Monday, title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/golf/rbc-canadian-open-ryan-fox-outlasts-sam-burns-in-playoff-thriller-for-second-pga-tour-win/HHXYE4MAOBBGRNE35L56QRYTXU/">Fox claimed his second PGA Tour title in the space of a month – with the first of his career coming at the Myrtle Beach Classic in early May.

Of the last four tournaments Fox has entered, only he and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler have lifted trophies.

Hoisting the title in Canada meant entry into next week’s US Open at Oakmont, while he pockets about $2.9 million (US$1.7m), 500 FedEx Cup (PGA Tour) points and just over 47 world ranking points.

Ahead of the event, Fox told the Herald his target for the rest of the year was to solidify his spot in the PGA Tour playoffs and secure a top-50 finish for the year. With the points he earned in Canada, the 38-year-old has jumped from No 75 to No 32 in the world, and up to No 25 in the FedEx Cup standings.

For 2025 so far, Fox has won $5.52m – $4.7m of that being across his last five tournaments.

While the win at Myrtle Beach guaranteed him a spot on the PGA Tour for the next two years, the win in Canada also cemented Fox a place in next year’s Masters at Augusta, which he missed out on this year, along with the Players Championship.

Ryan Fox at the PGA Championship last month. Photo / Photosport

Fox had to fight for the win in Canada, needing four playoff holes to get the better of American Sam Burns after making a clutch birdie to force a playoff on the final hole of his fourth round.

Both men made birdies on the par-five 18th in regulation to finish 18-under-par for the tournament, they continued to match each other in extra play.

With only the 18th hole being used in the sudden-death elimination format, both missed good chances to win and, after still being level twice more, the hole position was changed.

Once more they matched each other, before Fox played what he called one of the best shots of his life to give himself an eagle putt.

Ultimately, Burns couldn’t match him for placement and three-putted for par. That left Fox with two putts for the win; a tap-in birdie sealing the title.

Ryan Fox’s PGA Tour season so far

Made cuts:

RBC Canadian Open – 1. Myrtle Beach Classic – 1. Texas Children’s Houston Open - T15. The Players Championship - T20. The Memorial Tournament – T20. PGA Championship – T28. Valspar Championship - T47. Corales Puntacana Championship - T59. CJ Cup Byron Nelson - T60. Phoenix Open - T63.

Missed cuts:

Mexico Open, Cognizant Classic, Valero Texas Open, Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.