In Caledon, Ontario, the action at the RBC Canadian Open heats up as golfers Matteo Manassero from Italy and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox both delivered impressive 6-under 64s on Saturday, putting them in a joint lead after the third round. This event serves as the final test before players head to the U.S. Open at Oakmont the upcoming week.
Manassero bounced back strongly after a three-putt bogey on the 17th hole, a par-4. He closed his round on a high note with a birdie on the 18th, which is a par-5, by landing a precise 80-yard approach shot just 2 feet from the pin. This brought him to an impressive 14-under 196 at TPC Toronto’s North Course in Osprey Valley.
Reflecting on his game, Manassero addressed a few missed short putts but focused on maintaining a positive mindset. “I missed the short one on 17, and I did miss a couple more short ones today,” Manassero shared. He added, “It’s just a shot. So I don’t want it to get in my head, and I don’t want that to ruin anything or my attitude going towards the next shots.” At 32, with eight international victories under his belt, Manassero is keen on capturing his first PGA Tour win. He emphasized, “I try to get a good attitude, a good thought process, talk well to myself.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Fox also finished strong with a birdie on the 18th. Fox, at 38, recently triumphed at the Myrtle Beach Classic last month, marking his first PGA Tour victory. “To be honest, everything went pretty right,” Fox remarked about his steady performance. “I drove it great… Just played really solid kind of stress-free golf for the most part.”
Close behind the leading pair are Lee Hodges, Kevin Yu, and Matt McCarty, who sit just one stroke back. Hodges and Yu both carded impressive rounds of 63, while McCarty delivered a 64. Additionally, Canadian Mackenzie Hughes showed consistent form with a 64, sitting at 12-under alongside Jake Knapp at 66 and Andrew Putnam with a 68.
Hughes reflected on his strategy, highlighting the advantages of his driving game. “I’ve been putting the ball in play quite a bit, driving it pretty nice,” he noted. “You start driving it well, you can attack and be aggressive.”
Adding to the Canadian representation, Nick Taylor, an Oakville winner in 2023, made his mark with an eagle on the 18th, posting a 69 to reach 10 under par. His compatriots, Adam Hadwin and Taylor Pendrith, also displayed commendable performances with scores of 65 and 67, respectively, matching Taylor’s aggregate score.
Unfortunately, Masters champion Rory McIlroy found himself on the wrong side of the cut line. After an uneven start with an opening 71, followed by a tough 78, McIlroy saw an early exit from the tournament, serving as a poignant reminder of golf’s unpredictability.