Justin Rose Steals FedEx St. Jude Championship With Playoff Masterclass

At 45, the English veteran storms back with four birdies in his last five holes before outdueling J. J. Spaun in a tense Memphis playoff.

Arun UpadhayayAugust 11, 2025

3,291 3 minutes read

August 11 EST: Justin Rose didn’t just win the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday he stole it, right out from under the noses of Tommy Fleetwood and J. J. Spaun, in a closing stretch that felt like it belonged on a highlight reel looped until next season.

At TPC Southwind, the 45-year-old Englishman looked like a man who had been here before, because, well, he has. But this time there was something different a defiance, a flash of the old Rose who once made winning look inevitable. Starting the day three shots adrift of Fleetwood, he went from steady to sizzling in the space of five holes, dropping four birdies in his final five to claw his way into a sudden-death playoff. And once there? Ice water in the veins. Two birdies in three holes. Trophy in hand. First PGA Tour win since February 2023. Ryder Cup ticket punched.

Fleetwood Looked Safe… Until He Wasn’t

This was supposed to be Fleetwood’s Sunday. He’d slept on the lead, had the tempo, had the swagger. Through the front nine, nothing suggested otherwise. The swing was syrupy smooth, the ball flight pure, the galleries leaning in for the coronation.

Then, somewhere between the 14th tee and the 18th green, the magic leaked away. Fleetwood blinked. Rose didn’t. Birdie on 14. Birdie on 15. Another at 17. And the 18th? A curling dagger that landed dead center. Fleetwood could only watch, his own putter suddenly as cold as the Mississippi in January. Even-par 70. Another chance gone. Forty-three top 10s now without a U.S. win. That’s not a streak anymore that’s a curse.

Spaun Made Him Earn It

Here’s the thing about J. J. Spaun: he’s not just hanging around leaderboards anymore. He’s a U.S. Open champion now, and he played like it. A bogey-free 64 in the final round? That’s throwing down the gauntlet. Spaun birdied his way into the playoff and then stood toe-to-toe with Rose in the first two extra holes.

But the third playoff hole was where experience spoke up. Par-3, wind teasing the flag. Rose pulls a laser inside 10 feet, Spaun finds the wrong tier. You knew how it was ending the moment Rose started walking after his birdie putt head down, pace steady, ball in the cup.

Spaun walks away with another runner-up to go with his Open win and second at The Players earlier this year. That’s not bad company, but losing in a playoff hurts the same no matter what’s on your résumé.

Rose’s Win Feels Bigger Than One Week

For Rose, this wasn’t just a paycheck though $3.6 million from the $20 million purse will buy plenty of champagne. This was about proving he still belongs in the fight. Two years ago, he was on the wrong side of the world’s top 50. Now, he’s back in the top 10, back in the Ryder Cup mix, back in the conversation when Sundays get loud.

And that’s the thing golf is better when Rose is winning. His game has a rhythm to it, a sense of composure that can withstand the chaos. On Sunday, he wasn’t just playing against Fleetwood and Spaun. He was playing against time, against whispers of “past his prime.”

Time lost. Rose won.

Next Stop: Playoff Fireworks

With this win, Rose jumps into the FedEx Cup top 10. Spaun’s still breathing down the neck of the leaders. Fleetwood? Still searching, still dangerous, still one hot week from flipping the script.

The Tour rolls to the BMW Championship next, and if Memphis was any indication, we’re in for a month of golf where nothing is safe, and no lead feels big enough.

New Jersey Times Is Your Source: The Latest In Politics, Entertainment, Business, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Do Checkout Our Telegram Channel @Njtdotcom For Latest Updates.

Arun Upadhayay

Website | + posts

A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.

Source

Justin Rose Steals FedEx St. Jude Championship With Playoff Masterclass