In a remarkable turn of events, Justin Rose surged through a crowded leaderboard to clinch victory at the 2025 St. Jude Championship on Sunday. The English golfer triumphed over U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun in a thrilling three-hole sudden-death playoff, marking his first win on the PGA Tour since 2023. This victory also serves as redemption after a playoff loss to Rory McIlroy earlier in the year at the Masters.
Reflecting on his performance, Rose stated, “I played unbelievable golf coming down the stretch. I had so much fun with it. The 18th hole was playing perfectly for me today.” His final round of 67 propelled him to a total score of 16 under, showcasing a stunning eight-birdie finish, including four consecutive birdies from holes 14 to 17.
At one point, Rose found himself three strokes behind 54-hole leader Tommy Fleetwood. However, a series of birdies allowed him to tie with Spaun at the top of the leaderboard. Rose demonstrated his putting prowess with successful conversions from varying distances, hitting birdies from 15 feet, 9 feet, 6 feet, and 23 feet before narrowly missing from 13 feet on the 72nd hole.
In the playoff, both Rose and Spaun exchanged impressive birdies, prolonging the tournament beyond its expected conclusion. Ultimately, Rose sealed his victory on the third playoff hole with a birdie from inside 12 feet, raising his hands in celebration as he clinched the St. Jude Championship trophy.
At 45 years old, Rose's victory makes him the oldest winner on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson at the 2021 PGA Championship and the first player in his 40s to win on the tour this season. This win also propels him into the top five of the FedEx Cup standings, securing his spot in the upcoming Tour Championship for the first time since 2019.
Starting the day one stroke behind Fleetwood, Rose's final round began with a disappointing three-putt bogey. Despite a rocky front nine, he rallied with a birdie on the challenging par-3 14th, igniting his comeback. After a missed opportunity on the 72nd hole, Rose returned to the 18th tee and delivered a stellar performance that would lead to his playoff victory.
In the aftermath of the tournament, several notable names graced the leaderboard. J.J. Spaun, finishing tied for second at -16, continues to prove his mettle in high-stakes situations. His impressive putting throughout the week has solidified his position at No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings, clinching a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Tommy Fleetwood and Scottie Scheffler both finished tied for third at -15. Fleetwood, despite a strong start, suffered a disappointing finish, marking his sixth third-place finish on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, Scheffler, who played without his caddie due to a family emergency, maintained his position at the top of the FedEx Cup standings.
Another noteworthy performance came from Rickie Fowler, who finished at -10. After struggling earlier in the season, Fowler's strong showing at the St. Jude Championship has secured him a place in the BMW Championship and a chance to continue his climb in the rankings.
As the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs unfold, the excitement continues to build, with players like Xander Schauffele looking to improve their standings ahead of the BMW Championship. With just two events remaining, the battle for the playoffs intensifies.
