Justin Rose Stuns Memphis Crowd With Late Surge to Win FedEx St. Jude Championship in Playoff Thriller.
In a Sunday showdown packed with drama, Justin Rose turned back the clock, erasing a three-shot deficit over the final holes before outlasting J.J. Spaun in a playoff to capture the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
The 45-year-old Englishman closed with a 3-under 67 for his 24th career victory worldwide, vaulting back into the top 10 in the world rankings and securing a coveted spot in the upcoming Ryder Cup. It was a vintage Rose performance—steady, clutch, and fearless when it mattered most.
A Comeback for the Ages
Rose entered the final stretch trailing Tommy Fleetwood by three. But with the calm precision of a veteran, he birdied four consecutive holes starting at the par-3 14th, nearly sealing the win with a 13-foot birdie try on the 18th in regulation.
When the playoff began, Rose kept the pressure on. After Spaun’s dramatic 30-foot birdie on the second extra hole, Rose answered with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th during the third playoff hole to clinch the victory.
“An amazing last 90 minutes,” Rose reflected. “I played unbelievable golf down the stretch. When I bring my best, I know I can win against the best players in the world. This is incredibly gratifying.”
Spaun’s Brave Stand
J.J. Spaun, fresh off a U.S. Open win, wasn’t going down quietly. He drained a 20-footer on the 17th to tie the lead in regulation, carding a final-round 65. In the playoff, his long-range birdie on the second hole forced Rose to deliver under maximum pressure.
“I hung in there the best I could, and he just beat me to the hole first,” Spaun said. “It just wasn’t meant to be.” Still, Spaun secured his first Ryder Cup spot, making it a week of mixed emotions.
Fleetwood’s Heartbreak Continues
Tommy Fleetwood, admired for both his skill and sportsmanship, seemed destined for a long-awaited PGA Tour breakthrough. A birdie on the 12th sparked a run that gave him a two-shot cushion with three to play.
But costly mistakes on the par-5 16th and par-3 17th—plus a bunker-bound drive on the 18th—led to a final-round 69 and left him one shot shy of the playoff.
“There’s a lot of positives to take,” Fleetwood said. “It was a great week. I did a ton of good stuff, and as disappointed as I am, I have to try to make it all a positive experience.”
Scheffler, Fowler, and the Playoff Picture
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler continued his incredible consistency—12 straight finishes of eighth or better—despite playing without his regular caddie, Ted Scott, due to a family emergency. He closed with a 67, missing the playoff by a whisker.
Bud Cauley’s spectacular bunker hole-out on 17 locked in his top-50 finish in the FedEx Cup standings, earning him a spot at next week’s BMW Championship. Rickie Fowler, who missed last year’s playoffs, tied for sixth with a 69 to punch his ticket as well.
Kurt Kitayama, Jhonattan Vegas, and J.T. Poston also advanced inside the top 50, guaranteeing their place in next season’s $20 million signature events. Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth’s week unraveled with a splash on the 18th, dropping him to 54th in the standings. Chris Kirk suffered a similar fate, finishing 51st after late-round water trouble.
The Final Word
For all the FedEx Cup drama, nothing topped Rose’s masterclass in composure and shot-making. Playing in the final group with Fleetwood, Rose’s run of birdies—from a crisp 6-iron on 14 to a curling 15-footer on 17—proved he still thrives when the spotlight burns brightest.
With his 24th career win, Ryder Cup berth, and a return to the world’s top 10, Justin Rose’s Sunday in Memphis will be remembered as one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season.
Summary:
Justin Rose overcame a three-shot deficit with a late birdie surge, then edged J.J. Spaun in a playoff to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The victory returned him to the top 10 in the world and booked his Ryder Cup spot. Fleetwood’s near-miss and Spaun’s gritty play added to the drama, while FedEx Cup bubble players fought for playoff survival.
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