Summary:
- Justin Rose beat JJ Spaun on the third playoff hole for his 12th PGA Tour win and first since 2023.
- Tommy Fleetwood fell one shot short, extending his winless PGA Tour streak to 162 starts.
- Rose’s late run of four straight birdies set up the victory at TPC Southwind.
Justin Rose wins the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship ended a two-year wait for another PGA Tour trophy on Sunday, when he outlasted JJ Spaun in a nerve-racking playoff to capture the St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
Rose Grabbed the Opportunity
Earlier this year at the Masters, the 45-year-old Englishman saw his hopes dashed in a sudden-death playoff when Rory McIlroy beat him on the first extra hole. On Sunday, he made sure history didn’t repeat itself.
Rose and Spaun came back to the 18th for the playoff’s opening hole, each making par. They both birdied the second time through, setting up a third trip down the closing stretch.
Rose rolled in another birdie, but when Spaun couldn’t match it, the veteran took the chance and claimed his 12th PGA Tour win, becoming the first player in his 40s to lift a trophy on Tour this season.
Overnight leader Tommy Fleetwood, still searching for his first PGA Tour title in his 162nd start, was in position to challenge.
The 34-year-old, a seven-time European Tour winner, bogeyed his opening hole but stayed in the mix with steady play.
Fleetwood: “I’m Obviously Disappointed.”
Three birdies in four holes from the 12th gave him the outright lead, but a costly bogey on the 17th left him one shot shy of joining the playoff. He finished tied for third alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
I’m getting close, that’s the good side of it. On the back nine, I managed to get myself ahead, played some really good golf, putted really well. Justin and JJ have done great there and I just didn’t do enough. I’m obviously disappointed. I was right in there with a chance, and it’s hard.
Fleetwood now has 29 top-five finishes on the PGA Tour, which is more than any other winless player in the last 40 years. His career earnings have passed $31.4 million.
Rose: “I Never Stopped Believing.”
Rose’s victory was built on a dramatic late surge. Trailing by a shot to start the day, he made four straight birdies from the 14th to take the lead. A near-miss on the 18th could have ended it in regulation, but he signed for a three-under 67 to match Spaun, who shot a five-under 65 fueled by birdies at 16 and 17.
That was an amazing last 90 minutes. I never stopped believing. I played unbelievable golf coming down the stretch. I had so much fun with it… today is huge for me.
With the win, Rose moves on to the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings to next week’s BMW Championship.