Cauley overcomes accident aftermath to win RBC Canadian Open

Bud Cauley of the United States claimed his first PGA Tour victory Monday, overcoming a four-year absence caused by a serious car accident and its lingering complications.

Cauley carded seven birdies against two bogeys for a 5-under 65 in the final round of the RBC Canadian Open, held at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley North Course (par 70) in Caledon, Ontario, Canada. The tournament carried a purse of $9.8 million.

After going 2 under through the front nine to enter contention, Cauley seized sole possession of the lead with three consecutive birdies starting at the 11th hole. A birdie at the par-4 15th gave him a comfortable cushion down the stretch.

Cauley finished at 17-under-par 263, edging England's Matt Fitzpatrick — who has three PGA Tour wins this season — by two strokes. Fitzpatrick finished at 15-under 265. Cauley collected $1,764,000 (approximately 2.68 billion won) in prize money.

The 36-year-old secured his maiden Tour title in his 239th PGA Tour start and moved up to 28th in the FedEx Cup standings.

In June 2018, while staying in Dublin, Ohio, to compete in the Memorial Tournament, Cauley was involved in a collision that left him with five broken ribs, a broken left leg and a punctured lung.

He returned to the PGA Tour that October after multiple surgeries, but complications that emerged in September 2020 kept him off the course for nearly four years. "I want to thank so many people who helped me through a really difficult time," Cauley said. "Winning today is a way for me to show my gratitude to my wife."

Kim Ju-hyung closed with a bogey-free, 4-under 66 to finish at 10-under 270, tied for 15th. Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka of the United States withdrew before the start of the fourth round due to a finger problem.