RBC Canadian Open Round 3 Recap: Manassero and Fox Share Lead, Leaders Fade, Canadians Fight
Moving Day at the RBC Canadian Open Round 3 lived up to its name. While early leaders faltered, the chasing pack seized their opportunity. A series of low rounds saw the leaderboard reshaped heading into the final day at TPC Toronto.
🚀 Chasing Pack Closes the Gap — and Passes the Leaders
As predicted, players outside the final groups came charging. Lee Hodges and Kevin Yu both carded 63s, the joint-lowest rounds of the day, to climb into a tie for the lead at -13. Their scoring surge created early pressure, but by day’s end, they were joined — and then passed — by two others.
Alex Smalley also carded a 63, vaulting 37 spots to T16 at -10, showcasing how low rounds were rewarded on Moving Day.
🇮🇹 Manassero & 🇳🇿 Fox Share the 54-Hole Lead at -14
Matteo Manassero, the Italian talent, briefly held the solo lead at -14 after a superb day that included seven birdies. A three-putt bogey on the 17th temporarily knocked him back into a tie, but he bounced back with a clutch birdie on the par-5 18th, finishing the round with a 64 and the outright lead — for a moment.
Ryan Fox matched him moments later. The New Zealander also posted 64 (-6), joining Manassero atop the leaderboard at -14 after 54 holes.
😮 Fading Front-Runners: “Leader’s Curse” Continues
It’s been a tournament trend — once players take the lead, they seem to stall.
- Cameron Champ, the Round 2 leader, struggled to a +1 round of 71. After missing the green from 115 yards on hole 2, he never found rhythm and failed to make a single birdie. He lost -1.689 strokes putting, a stark contrast from Friday’s +1.620 gain. Now T9 at -11, Champ will need a Sunday charge.
- Andrew Putnam, paired with Champ, fared slightly better with a 68 (-2). He remains within reach at T6, but like Champ, his putting regressed, giving up -0.650 strokes on the greens today.
- Cristobal Del Solar, one of the Round 1 leaders, posted a decent 67 (-3) but dropped two spots to T9.
- Thorbjørn Olesen had a tough day on the greens. Despite leading the field in putting through two rounds, he lost -1.717 strokes putting in Round 3 and posted a 71 (+1), falling 26 positions to T29.
🍁 RBC Canadian Open Round 3: The Canadian Contenders: Up-and-Down Day
It was a mixed bag for the Canadian hopefuls:
- Nick Taylor opened the week strong but cooled off Saturday. A late eagle on 18 salvaged a 1-under 69, but he dropped 13 spots to T16.
- Richard Lee, also tied for third after Round 2, posted an even-par 70, sliding 22 positions to T25.
- Adam Hadwin was the standout among Canadians. With seven birdies and two bogeys, he carded a 65 (-5) and moved up 14 spots to T16.
- Taylor Pendrith stayed steady with a 67 (-3), though it cost him three positions. He’s also at T16, making it a Canadian trio poised for a Sunday push.
📊 Final Round Preview: 12 Players Within 4 Shots
With so much volatility on Saturday — and with rounds of 61, 62, and 63 already posted this week — no lead is safe. 12 players are within four shots of the leaders. Expect fireworks and leaderboard swings in the final round of the RBC Canadian Open 2025.
📺 RBC Canadian Open Round 3 Highlights
Catch all the key moments from the RBC Canadian Open Round 3 — from Manassero’s birdie charge and Ryan Fox’s clutch finish to the struggles of past leaders and the shifting Canadian hopes.
🎥 Watch full highlights on the PGA Tour’s official YouTube channel:
