Cowley won the Canadian Open to complete his comeback

Canadian Open Final Leaderboard

-17 B Cowley (USA); -15 M Fitzpatrick (Eng.); -14 V Hovland (no)

Selected Others: -13 J Stanger (US), B Garnett (US), J Svensson (Swe), J Suber (US); -11 T Fleetwood (Eng); -10 R McIntyre (Sco); -9 A Fitzpatrick (Eng.)

Bud Cowley won the Canadian Open to capture his first PGA Tour title and complete a remarkable comeback eight years after his career was derailed by a car accident.

The 36-year-old American took the lead with a birdie chip at the 12th hole while shooting a 5-under-par 65 in the final round to finish at 17-under 263 in Caledon, Ontario.

It was his 239th tournament on the tour, the win a reward for Cowley’s perseverance in coming back from a serious injury.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick finished second, two strokes back, with Norway’s Viktor Hovland third at 14 under.

In June 2018, Cowley was a passenger in a car when he suffered six broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a broken left leg.

Although he returned to action four months later, he suffered complications in 2020 that kept him out of the professional tour until 2024.

“There were times when I was injured that we weren’t really sure if I was going to play again,” Cowley said.

“A lot of people helped me get here. Once I got the chance to start playing again, I just told myself I’m going to try and do everything right and give myself the best chance.”

Cowley added: “I owe a lot to my wife, Christy, during those dark times. It’s great to have a little success as a thank you.”

He started one stroke behind leader Jackson Suber but took control of the back nine with four birdies in five holes for a three-shot lead at the 16th hole.

Fitzpatrick shot a fourth-round 64 to move up 10 positions on the leaderboard to second, but a bogey on the 17th hole ended his title hopes.

“It’s a good week,” Fitzpatrick said. “I would have taken it earlier in the week. I think there was a lot of good stuff there.

“Last week my nirvana was a bit of a struggle, and I think I’ve got a better process for what I’m working on this week and it showed. I kept really tight.”