In a thrilling conclusion at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, held in Memphis, Tennessee, veteran golfer Justin Rose staged an impressive comeback. Over the final five holes, Rose erased a three-shot deficit against the unfortunate Tommy Fleetwood, ultimately securing victory in a playoff against U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun. This win not only marked Rose's 24th career victory worldwide but also propelled him back into the top 10 of the world rankings at the age of 45.
Closing the tournament with a commendable score of 3-under 67, Rose showcased exceptional skill on the course, including four consecutive birdies. His near miss on a 13-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole during regulation play almost sealed the win, but he later clinched it with a 10-foot putt on the third playoff hole. Reflecting on his performance, Rose stated, “An amazing last 90 minutes. I played unbelievable golf down the stretch. When I bring my best, I know I’m good enough to play and to compete, and to now win against the best players in the world. Very gratifying day for me.”
Meanwhile, Spaun exhibited remarkable resilience throughout the competition. He made a stunning 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, tying for the lead, and finished the day with a 65. His determination was evident as he sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole, demonstrating his competitive spirit. Spaun remarked, “I hung in there the best I could, and he beat me to the hole first. Just wasn’t meant to be.” This performance secured his spot in his first Ryder Cup, a significant milestone in his career.
Despite his impressive play, Fleetwood faced another bitter setback, extending his streak of near misses in professional golf. He initially took the lead with a 35-foot birdie on the 12th hole, which marked the start of a four-hole stretch where he gained a two-shot advantage. However, his fortunes turned on the par-5 16th hole, where he struggled to save par after hitting his pitch through the green. A poor shot on the 17th led to a bogey, and needing a birdie on the 18th to stay in contention, he found himself in a bunker. Fleetwood finished with a 69, just one shot shy of the playoff, alongside Scottie Scheffler, who struggled with his putts and settled for a 67.
Despite the disappointment, Fleetwood remained optimistic, stating, “There’s a lot of positives to take, as much as I won’t feel like that right now. I’m just going to look at what I feel like I could have done and how close it was.” He emphasized the importance of learning from such experiences and expressed hope for future tournaments.
In addition to Rose's victory, several players left the TPC Southwind with smiles. Bud Cauley secured his spot for the second round of the FedExCup playoffs with a spectacular bunker shot on the 17th hole. Rickie Fowler also made headlines, shooting a 69 to tie for sixth place, thus advancing to the BMW Championship. Players like Kurt Kitayama, Jhonattan Vegas, and J.T. Poston moved into the top 50, guaranteeing their participation in all signature events next year.
The tournament concluded with a mix of triumph and disappointment among the players. Jordan Spieth failed to find his rhythm, finishing tied for 38th, while Chris Kirk narrowly missed the top 50 cutoff after a challenging final round. The drama at the top, particularly with Justin Rose's remarkable comeback, will be remembered as a highlight of the tournament. “This is going to be a fun one for us to celebrate,” Rose joyfully concluded.
