Golf

Triumph over adversity: Cauley's PGA Tour breakthrough

By AAP Newswire

Jun 15, 2026

Bud Cauley enjoys his breakthrough Canadian Open victory with his young family. -AP

Eight years after his career nearly ended in a car accident at the Memorial tournament, Bud Cauley has broken through for his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Canadian Open.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The 36-year-old American surged with a closing five-under 65 to win by two strokes from fast-finishing English star Matt Fitzpatrick (64) at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on Sunday.

Cauley won in his 239th tour start — just over two years after he finally returned to the PGA Tour following the accident. He was a passenger in a car when he sustained six broken ribs, a collapsed right lung and fractured left leg.

He took the lead with a birdie chip on the par-4 12th amid three consecutive birdies and won at 17 under.

Cauley, 36, had never finished higher than third since turning pro in 2011.

"Just how ‌hard that was," said Cauley, reflecting on his journey. "Just so many people helped me get here and I'm just really thankful for all the help that I've gotten."

"I'm just very proud of the way I kind of kept going and continued to make birdies there on the back nine and I'm just so happy," Cauley added.

"There were times when I was hurt that we really weren't sure if I was going to be able to play again."

Chasing a fourth PGA Tour win this season as he prepares for the US Open starting on Thursday, Fitzpatrick eagled the final hole and also made six birdies but had to settle for second place while also taking the FedEx Cup points lead.

"It's a good week," he said. "I would have taken it at the start of the week. I felt like there was a lot of good stuff in there."

Viktor Hovland was third at 14 under after a 65. Suber (70), Jesper Svensson (68), Jimmy Stanger (67) and Brice Garnett (68) were another stroke back.

Defending champion Ryan Fox of New Zealand posted 68 and tied eighth with two others -- Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju (68) and South African Aldrich Potgieter (65) -- at 12 under.

Brooks Koepka, who was a co-leader after a first-round 64, withdrew prior to the final round citing a hand injury. After a 72 on Saturday, he was at 6 under through three rounds.

The start ⁠of Sunday's round was pushed back because of concerns related to the weather forecast. Golfers were sent off the first and 10th tees in threesomes.