Former PGA Tour winner sounds off on RBC Canadian Open’s hole location change for playoffs
Former PGA Tour winner Smylie Kaufman was not pleased with the RBC Canadian Open's hole location change during the playoff. The tournament had a dramatic finale to determine the winner on Sunday.
After playing 72 holes, Ryan Fox, who was already in the lead after 54 holes, had easily extended his lead even after the final 18 holes. He was tied with Sam Burns, who put forward a show on Sunday and carded 62 to jump 14 spots on the leaderboard to settle in a tie with the Kiwi golfer.
They headed for a playoff on the par-5 18th to determine the winner of the competition. Even after playing two times on the hole, the game result remained a tie as the players made a par.
However, the hole location was changed to the front-right portion, and the hole was also shortened by 11 yards. Despite the changes, the result remained the same, as they again made a par on the hole.
Smylie Kaufman sounded off on the changes, and he shared a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account about the same, writing:
"If they are changing the hole location change the tees. Cmonnn"
The result of the RBC Canadian Open was finally determined on the 18th, as Fox was fortunate to make a birdie on it. He seized the title, his second win on the PGA Tour within a month.
Burns missed a good chance to break his two-year winless streak on the PGA Tour. The American has won five tournaments on the PGA Tour so far in his career, but his last came at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March 2023 and has since been seeking a win on the circuit.
Fox has been playing professionally since 2012 and has four wins on the European Tour, but his first win on the PGA Tour came in 2025 at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, and then he won another event on June 8 at the RBC Canadian Open 2025.
With that, he became the second player from New Zealand to win the RBC Canadian Open, following Sir Bob Charles, who won the event in 1968. Also, it is important to note that it was the 23rd playoff in the history of the tournament.
Smylie Kaufman congratulates Ryan Fox on winning the RBC Canadian Open 2025
On Sunday, following Ryan Fox's incredible victory, Smylie Kaufman congratulated the Kiwi golfer by sharing a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He talked about Sam Burns' impressive performance and his shooting 62 in the final round of the tournament while also congratulating Fox for his win.
Kaufman wrote:
"Bummed for my guy Sam to not get it done but still an incredible day to get into the playoff with a 62! Congrats to Foxy and one heckuva shot there on the 4th playoff hole… and now it’s officially US Open week!"
Kevin Yu settled in solo third place, followed by Cameron Young, tied for fourth with Matt McCarty. Following the RBC Canadian Open, it's officially the US Open week, with the major scheduled to start on Thursday, June 15.