St Jude Championship: Justin Rose Clinches Victory Over JJ Spaun in Tense Play-off
The St Jude Championship witnessed an exhilarating finish as Justin Rose triumphed over JJ Spaun in a captivating sudden-death play-off, marking his first PGA Tour title in over two years. The English golfer, aged 45 and ranked 20th in the world, displayed remarkable composure at TPC Southwind in Memphis, securing his 12th career title.
In a dramatic contest, Rose had previously experienced disappointment at this year’s Masters, where he lost a sudden-death play-off to Rory McIlroy. This time, however, he maintained his focus, edging Spaun after their play-off extended to a thrilling third hole.
The Play-off Showdown
Both players recorded pars on the first attempt at the 18th hole but rallied with birdies on the second attempt. As Spaun faltered, missing a crucial birdie chance, Rose seized the opportunity to take home the trophy.
The final leaderboard saw Rose finish at -16, tied with Spaun. Notably, well-known golfer Tommy Fleetwood, who entered the final round with a one-stroke lead, fell short of clinching his first PGA Tour victory, finishing in a tie for third along with world number one, Scottie Scheffler, at -15.
| Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Rose (Eng) | -16 |
| 2 | JJ Spaun (US) | -16 |
| 3 | Scottie Scheffler (US) | -15 |
| 3 | Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) | -15 |
| 5 | Cameron Young (US) | -11 |
Fleetwood’s Near Miss
Fleetwood’s journey was filled with ups and downs as he struggled on the green. Despite showing promise with three birdies in four holes starting from the 12th, a crucial bogey on the second-to-last hole cost him precious ground. “I’m getting close, that’s the positive side,” Fleetwood remarked following the tournament.
The seasoned golfer holds the record for the highest PGA Tour earnings without a victory, surpassing $31.4 million following his runner-up finish at the Travelers Championship. His impressive six top-five finishes this season, alongside his long list of near misses on the US Tour, adds to the narrative of his persistent quest for victory.
Looking Ahead
Despite this setback, Fleetwood has secured his spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team, joining Rose, while Spaun has earned a place on the U.S. team. With Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sepp Straka rounding out the European squad, the anticipation builds ahead of this autumn’s prestigious event.
Justin Rose’s victory marks a significant achievement, as he became the first golfer in his 40s to win on Tour this season. His recent surge, highlighted by four consecutive birdies down the stretch, underscores his resilience and renewed competitive edge.
As the PGA Tour heads into the BMW Championship, the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings will compete for coveted positions in the tournament’s decisive phases ahead.
