Kiwi Ryan Fox Triumphs in Toronto

Small in numbers but mighty in spirit, New Zealand athletes continue to punch above their weight on the world stage. Ryan Fox’s stunning win on the PGA Tour in Toronto proves once again that Kiwis know how to make their mark in the sporting world.

Toronto hosted one of the biggest golf events this weekend—the RBC Canadian Open, part of the PGA Tour. With a history dating back over 120 years, it’s the third-oldest tournament on the tour and still draws big excitement. The highlight for New Zealand was seeing Ryan Fox take home a hefty payout of just under 3 million NZD.

Fox outperformed a strong field over the weekend. The tournament leader took an early 12-under opening round, showing excellent form. However, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy endured a tough weekend, shockingly missing the cut after a disastrous 8-over 78 on Friday—his worst round of the season, including a costly quadruple bogey on the 5th hole.

McIlroy hadn’t missed a cut for over a decade, not since the 2015 Honda Classic in Palm Beach, where he also struggled to make it to the weekend. Since then, he had maintained consistent weekend appearances—until his unexpected stumble at the 2025 Canadian Open.

Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox put in a crucial birdie on the 18th hole during the PGA Tour in Toronto. In regulation play, he sank a clutch 5.1-metre birdie putt on the par-5 18th to force a playoff with Sam Burns at 18-under. And in the playoff, he went on to secure victory with another birdie on that very hole, sealing Fox an incredible win.

There aren’t many Kiwis on the global stage, but time and again, we prove we can compete—and succeed—in sport across the world. Ryan Fox’s win marks him as only the second Kiwi to claim victory on the Canadian Tour in 56 years, since the great golfing legend Sir Bob Charles triumphed back in 1968. What an incredible achievement and a proud moment for New Zealand golf!