Michael Kim praised Bud Cauley after maiden RBC Canadian Open victory.
Michael Kim Hails 'One of the Nicest Guys' Bud Cauley After Maiden RBC Canadian Open Triumph
June 15 2026, Published 9:57 a.m. ET
Michael Kim shared a heartfelt message for Bud Cauley after the latter secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.
"So so sick for Bud. He's been through a lot and cool to see the hard work and him persevering to get his first win. One of the nicest guys on tour," wrote Kim on Sunday, June 14.
The American athlete finished with a score of 17-under 263 after he carded a final-round 65. The victory came in his 239th start on the PGA Tour.
Bud Cauley Looks Back at Dark Times Before Maiden PGA Tour Victory
Bud Cauley claimed his first PGA Tour title at the RBC Canadian Open.
Cauley's career faced a major setback after a car accident at the 2018 Memorial Tournament. He suffered six broken ribs, a fractured leg and a collapsed lung after the crash. He went through several surgeries and a tough recovery process before his full-time PGA Tour return in 2024.
Cauley credited his difficult recovery period for changing his mindset and approach toward golf.
"Once I got the opportunity to start playing again I just told myself that I was going to try to just do everything the right way and give myself the best chance," Cauley explained on Sunday after winning the prestigious title.
Bud Cauley had defeated Matt Fitzpatrick to secure his maiden PGA Tour victory.
He also felt the victory was a way to thank his wife for her support through the toughest phase of his life. "I put my wife through so much during those dark times and it's just nice to have a little success as kind of a thank you," Cauley said.
The 36-year-old's dream of a PGA Tour victory started during his childhood. "I started playing the game when I was six years old, so it probably wasn't too long after that first day that I started thinking about it."
His RBC Canadian Open triumph fulfilled a dream that he had carried for nearly three decades.
Bud Cauley Gets Emotional as Family Witnesses Long-Awaited PGA Tour Victory
Bud Cauley had earned a $1.764 million prize after his breakthrough PGA Tour win.
Cauley's first PGA Tour victory became more special because he shared it with his family. He had often imagined a celebration with his loved ones after his maiden win and wanted them to be present for that moment.
"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."
Bud Cauley Defeats Matt Fitzpatrick To Win Emotional RBC Canadian Open Title
Bud Cauley had returned to success after his career-threatening 2018 car accident.
Cauley defeated Matt Fitzpatrick by two strokes and earned 500 FedExCup points along with a prize money cheque of $1.764 million.
He started the final round one shot behind Jackson Suber. The tough weather made the last day more difficult, with wind and rain a major factor on the course. However, Cauley found his best form on the back nine. He made a birdie on the par-3 11th hole and followed it with a 93-foot chip-in birdie on the 12th.
He added more birdies on the 13th and 15th holes to take control of the tournament. His strong run helped him stay ahead of players such as Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood.