JUSTIN Rose erased a three-shot deficit over the final five holes against Tommy Fleetwood and then birdied twice in a playoff against US Open champion J.J. Spaun to capture the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday (Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, PH time) in Memphis, Tennessee.
Rose closed with a three-under-par 67 for his 24th career victory worldwide, a result that returns the 45-year-old to the world’s top 10 and secures him another Ryder Cup appearance.
He made four straight birdies on the back nine at TPC Southwind, narrowly missing a 13-footer on the 18th for a regulation win. In total, he carded six birdies over his final eight holes, including a decisive 10-footer on the third playoff hole.
“An amazing last 90 minutes,” Rose said. “I played unbelievable golf down the stretch. When I bring my best, I know I’m good enough to compete and win against the best players in the world.”
Spaun forced extra holes with a 20-foot birdie on 17, closing with 65. He answered Rose’s pressure with a 30-foot birdie on the second playoff hole, but the Englishman converted first on the next.
“I hung in there the best I could, and he beat me to the hole first. Just wasn’t meant to be,” Spaun said, still securing a spot in his first Ryder Cup.
Fleetwood, seeking his first PGA Tour win, looked in control after three birdies in four holes from the 12th gave him a two-shot lead with three to play.
But a pitch through the green on the par-5 16th led to a par. A poor tee shot and missed seven-footer for bogey on 17 dropped him back, and a bunker off the 18th tee ended his chances. He shot 69 to finish one shot out of the playoff alongside Scottie Scheffler, who closed with 67.
“There’s a lot of positives, as much as I won’t feel like that right now,” Fleetwood said. “I have to make it all a positive experience and hopefully next time go again.”
The tournament also had playoff implications. Bud Cauley holed a bunker shot for birdie on 17 to lock up a spot in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup, advancing to next week’s BMW Championship.
Rickie Fowler tied for sixth to also advance, joined by Kurt Kitayama, Jhonattan Vegas, and J.T. Poston. The top 50 are guaranteed entry to all $20 million signature events next season.
Jordan Spieth (54th) and Chris Kirk (51st) were among those who missed the cut for the BMW after late bogeys.
For Rose, the week ended with a statement finish. Three shots behind in the final group, he hit a 6-iron to 15 feet at the par-3 14th and sank the putt, then added short birdies on the next two holes before draining a 15-footer on 17. “This is going to be a fun one for us to celebrate,” he said. / FROM THE WIRES