CALEDON, Ontario — In a story of perseverance more than 15 years in the making, Bud Cauley captured his maiden PGA Tour title Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open, closing with a 5-under 65 for a two-stroke victory over England’s Matt Fitzpatrick.
The 36-year-old Florida native finished at 17-under 263 on the North Course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, parring the 72nd hole to seal the win in his 239th career Tour start.
“Well, there were times when I was hurt that we really weren’t sure if I was going to be able to play again,” said Cauley, who began his pro career in 2011 after an illustrious college career at Alabama, where he was a three-time All-American.
“So there were moments and conversations that Kristi and I had where we didn’t know if it was going to work out.
“Once I was able to start playing again and I felt more comfortable with my body and it holding up — I’ve always believed in my ability to play golf and play the game and be competitive. I knew I could win, but I also knew that I needed to prove it to myself and go out and do it.”
Cauley certainly “did it.” He seized control with a dramatic birdie chip on the par-4 12th hole — one of four birdies in a five-hole stretch, building enough cushion to withstand any late collapse. He tapped in for par on the 18th with tears in his eyes as the weight of the long journey lifted.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s a moment I’ve thought a lot about,” said Cauley, when asked about seeing his young son run across the green to greet him. “Even last year a couple times when I was in contention my family wasn’t with me and it would always kind of cross my mind that if I, hopefully for my first win everyone would be here.
“I had to try to not think about it a lot today. Obviously with them being here and I was playing well, I really had to think almost on every hole about staying focused and not thinking about that celebration if I were to win.
“I hit that putt up there to a few inches and I kind of stood on the front of the green, and I looked over and saw Kristi, Cooper, and Miles standing there, and I started to tear up. I tried to look down. I had a short putt, but I was trying and couldn’t see, and so I thought I needed to clear my eyes before I could go up there and tap in.”
Cauley added, “Yeah, like you mentioned, so many events without getting a win, but with everything that our family went through when I was out and then to have my first win when everyone’s here, just it kind of seems like perfect timing.”
The victory caps a remarkable comeback. In 2018, Cauley was involved in a serious single-car accident at the Memorial Tournament that left him with broken ribs, a fractured leg, and a collapsed lung. The injury resulted in serious medical complications years later, forcing him to miss more than three full seasons of competitive golf (2021-2023). He returned in 2024 via the Korn Ferry Tour and enjoyed a breakout PGA Tour season in 2025 with four top-6 finishes and qualifying for the Tour’s postseason.
The win earns Cauley $1.764 million, 500 FedEx Cup points, and exemptions into this week’s U.S. Open, next month’s British Open and next season’s Masters. It also vaults him to a career-high world ranking of No. 40.
Fellow players, including former Alabama teammate Justin Thomas, praised the achievement as a testament to grit and determination. Cauley had been one of the longest-tenured winless players on Tour before breaking through in Canada.
