Ryan Fox has the edge in experience and calm under pressure, but Matteo Manassero’s poise and storybook comeback give him plenty of momentum
Still, don’t rule out someone coming from the 11- or even 10-under group with a blistering final round. This tournament has all the makings of a photo finish—and fans are in for a thrilling ride on Championship Sunday.
Ryan Fox’s story is a reminder that success in sport — and in life — is rarely linear. From backyard games to the PGA Tour, his journey has been marked by determination, patience, and a deep love for competition.
With a leaderboard as bunched and diverse as this, expect the 2025 RBC Canadian Open to go down to the wire.
At 38, Fox is not just peaking — he’s still climbing. With more titles likely ahead and an already impressive resume, Ryan Fox has firmly established himself as one of New Zealand’s greatest modern sportsmen. And his story is far from over.
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Table of Contents
Ryan Fox: From Backyard Cricketer to Golfing Champion
A Sporting Legacy: Born to Compete
Ryan Fox’s sporting journey was practically written into his DNA. Born on January 22, 1987, in Auckland, New Zealand, he was surrounded by a lineage of elite athletes.1
His grandfather, Merv Wallace, was a New Zealand cricketing legend who represented the nation between 1937 and 1953.
Meanwhile, his father, Grant Fox, was a rugby icon — a revered fly-half for the All Blacks and a Rugby World Cup winner. Ryan didn’t just inherit their genes — he inherited their passion for sport and competition.
From as young as three years old, Ryan was immersed in an environment where games and sports were everyday affairs. Wallace would bowl spin deliveries in the backyard, helping young Ryan develop the kind of hand-eye coordination that would later serve him in a completely different arena.
Whether it was whacking plastic balls with improvised clubs or shadowing his father’s rugby moves, Ryan was a natural athlete — always in motion, always with a ball or club in hand.
A Multi-Sport Upbringing: Versatility as a Virtue
Unlike many professional athletes who specialize early, Ryan Fox was a sporting all-rounder during his formative years.
He didn’t just stick to cricket or rugby. Instead, he sampled a variety of disciplines — tennis, table tennis, snooker, darts — showcasing a balance of power, finesse, and accuracy across all.
Rugby was almost a given, considering his father’s fame, but Ryan never felt pressured to follow that exact path. His parents encouraged exploration, not specialization.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until Ryan was around nine or ten years old that he first picked up a golf club.
Not in a tournament or a fancy driving range — but in his own backyard, casually hitting 7-irons off the lawn into the nearby paddocks. His affinity for the game was immediate, though at that time, it was still one among many passions.
Ryan Fox: Discovering Golf
The Turning Point
The turning point in Ryan Fox’s sporting life came in his early teens. At age 12, he officially joined a local golf club.2
This commitment slowly started edging out his other interests. By age 14, he became a member of the Auckland Golf Club, a move that marked a critical shift from playing many sports to focusing on one.
While most teenagers spent weekends at parties or loitering in malls, Ryan was more likely to be found on the green, fine-tuning his swing or challenging his mates to friendly rounds.
Golf was becoming more than just a game. It was turning into a calling.
From Lecture Halls to Fairways: Academic Life Meets Ambition
After finishing high school, Ryan enrolled at Auckland University to study law. Yet, the rigors of legal studies couldn’t suppress his growing love for golf.
Halfway through his first year, he entered his first amateur event — a bold decision that would pave the way for his future career. The experience lit a fire inside him, and soon after, his sights were firmly set on professional golf.
By age 20, Fox had earned national squad membership. The culmination of years of backyard games, club memberships, and countless hours on the course finally paid off in 2011, when he won the prestigious New Zealand Stroke Play Championship at 24.
Shortly after, he made the leap to the professional ranks, turning pro in late 2011 with none other than his father, Grant Fox, carrying his bag as caddie.
It should say where “we hit it” as we both hit a couple of interesting ones off the tee 😂 https://t.co/S8ufSuVhTu
— Ryan Fox (@ryanfoxgolfer) July 17, 2024
Early Professional Days: The Road Less Traveled
Ryan Fox’s professional career didn’t begin with immediate glory. Like many young golfers, he had to grind through lesser-known circuits to build experience and climb the rankings.
He started by playing on the Australian and Challenge tours, getting a taste of what real professional competition looked like. There were no luxury resorts or big sponsorship deals — just determination, sweat, and a love for the game.
Grant Fox, always the supportive father, continued to caddie for Ryan in those early days. It was an experience that not only strengthened their bond but also grounded Ryan in humility and focus.
Ryan Fox: Breakthrough on the European Stage
2014 was a year of important firsts for Fox. He clinched his first professional wins, proving he had what it took to compete with the best.3
But the major breakthrough came in February 2019, when he won the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth.
This victory was historic — it marked the first European Tour win by a New Zealander since 2009. More importantly, it served as a declaration: Ryan Fox had arrived.
His blend of raw power off the tee and strategic finesse on the greens made him a formidable competitor. With each tournament, Fox gained confidence and recognition, not just in New Zealand but on the international stage.
A Meteoric Rise: 2022 – A Banner Year
If 2019 was the breakthrough, 2022 was the acceleration. Ryan Fox won three more titles on the European Tour, demonstrating that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
His consistency, work ethic, and tournament IQ had matured, turning him from a fringe contender into a top-tier golfer.
These wins were more than just trophies — they represented years of dedication, overcoming doubt, and navigating the difficult landscape of international golf.
Each victory added to his reputation and brought new opportunities, including sponsorships and PGA Tour invitations.
Cracking the PGA Tour: A Dream Realized in 2025
In May 2025, Ryan Fox achieved one of the crowning moments of his career: his first-ever PGA Tour win at the Myrtle Beach Classic.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a showstopper. Fox clinched the title with a sensational 50-foot chip-in during a playoff, sending fans into a frenzy and etching his name into tournament lore.
Winning on the PGA Tour is no easy feat. It requires more than skill — it demands composure under pressure, resilience, and a bit of magic. Fox had all three on display that day, and the golf world took notice.
Current Form: Leading at the RBC Canadian Open
- As of June 2025, Ryan Fox is leading after the third round of the RBC Canadian Open.
- This comes as no surprise to those who’ve followed his steady rise over the past decade.
- He’s no longer an underdog; he’s a contender — a serious threat every time he tees it up.
- Whether or not he clinches this title, Fox has already proven that he belongs among the best.
- His journey, from hitting golf balls into paddocks to dazzling crowds on international greens, is a story of grit, growth, and glory.
- Ryan Fox’s rise is not just a personal victory — it’s a source of inspiration for New Zealand’s next generation of athletes. He embodies a unique blend of legacy and individuality.
- Yes, he comes from a sporting family, but he carved his own path, choosing a different sport and mastering it through sheer effort and love for the game.
- He also represents a balance that many young athletes can learn from: staying grounded, exploring multiple sports before choosing a specialization, and respecting the process over instant gratification.
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Ryan Fox Surges to Joint Lead at 2025 RBC Canadian Open After Third Round
The third round of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open brought a whirlwind of drama, movement, and standout performances, particularly from New Zealand’s Ryan Fox.
The seasoned pro carved out a flawless 6-under 64 to storm into a share of the lead at 14-under-par, joining Italy’s Matteo Manassero at the summit. With the final round looming, the $9.8 million purse has never looked more tantalizing—or more competitive.
Fox, known for his aggressive play and consistent ball-striking, delivered when it mattered most on Saturday.
His clean card, combined with precise iron play and clutch putting, put him in a prime position heading into Sunday.
Matteo Manassero’s Return to the Spotlight
While Ryan Fox was stealing headlines with his rise, Matteo Manassero continued his strong form, carding a solid round to remain co-leader. Manassero’s renaissance has been one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Once the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour, the Italian prodigy has clawed his way back into elite form after years of struggling with swing changes and confidence issues.
With consistent play and composed demeanor, Manassero looks poised to challenge for his first PGA Tour title, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s finale.
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Chase Pack Just One Shot Behind
Lurking just a single shot behind the leaders are Lee Hodges, Kevin Yu, and Matt McCarty, all tied at 13-under-par.
Hodges and Yu made significant moves on Saturday with stellar rounds of 7-under 63, capitalizing on optimal scoring conditions and rolling in putts from everywhere.
Kevin Yu, in particular, dazzled with his combination of power and finesse. He birdied five of his last seven holes to close with a flourish and send a message to the leaders.
Matt McCarty quietly posted another strong round, maintaining his place among the top contenders.
Cameron Champ’s Sudden Slide
Cameron Champ began the day at the top of the leaderboard, but a shaky round saw him fall to a tie for ninth at 11-under.
Known for his prodigious driving ability, Champ struggled with his approach shots and putting, failing to maintain the momentum he built over the first two days.
Despite the slip, Champ is still within striking distance. If he can rediscover his rhythm, a final-round charge is not out of the question—especially given his history of late Sunday fireworks.
Ryan Fox: Deep Leaderboard Promises Dramatic Finale
Looking further down the leaderboard, there are still numerous names who could make a final-day push.
Sam Burns, Shane Lowry, and Danny Willett are among the big names sitting at 10-under and well within range.
Even players like Ludvig Åberg (-9), Thomas Detry (-9), and Corey Conners (-8) have the firepower to go low and put pressure on the leaders.
Given the right conditions and early momentum, a 62 or 63 from any of them could dramatically alter the Sunday storyline.
The 2025 RBC Canadian Open’s third round showcased a course setup that rewarded aggressive play. With pin placements that offered risk-reward opportunities and fairways softened by earlier rain, players were able to attack.
Expect similar conditions on Sunday, meaning birdies will be essential.
Those trailing by two or three strokes can’t afford to play conservatively. Expect fireworks from players willing to take on pins and go for reachable par-5s in two.
Final Round Strategy: Risk vs. Reward
For Ryan Fox and Matteo Manassero, the final round strategy will be crucial. With such a packed leaderboard and plenty of chasers, they’ll need to walk a tightrope—remaining aggressive enough to post a low number while avoiding the critical mistakes that can derail a round.
History has shown that leaders playing to protect a score often get caught. Look for both to try and post another 66 or 67 rather than merely hold their ground.
The RBC Canadian Open has also shone a light on several rising stars. Kevin Yu’s electric play and Rico Hoey’s resilience under pressure are both strong indicators of future potential.
These names, still relatively unknown to casual fans, are staking their claim on the big stage.
Jake Knapp and Matt McCarty, also hovering near the top, have taken advantage of their opportunities and could set themselves up for breakthrough performances—and potentially career-altering wins.
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