Justin Rose has claimed the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis after a thrilling playoff victory against JJ Spaun. The English golfer, at 45, becomes the oldest European to win on the PGA Tour in the modern era, showcasing incredible resilience and skill.
Rose's Remarkable Comeback
After a bogey at the 12th, which dropped him to 12 under, Rose looked to be out of contention. However, a stunning run of six birdies in his last eight holes propelled him back into the lead. He narrowly missed an outright win with a 13-foot putt at the last, forcing a playoff with Spaun.
The playoff was nothing short of dramatic. Spaun holed a long-distance putt on the second playoff hole, putting pressure on Rose. But Rose responded with a clutch birdie, followed by another from 14 feet on the decisive hole, securing his victory.
Fleetwood's Near Miss
Tommy Fleetwood, another Englishman, held the lead going into the final day but couldn't quite hold on. Despite a challenging third round, Fleetwood finished just behind Rose, highlighting the strong British presence at the tournament. Fleetwood has had six runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour but is still waiting for his first PGA Tour title.
Rose's Reaction
"That was an amazing last 90 minutes. I never stopped believing," Rose said after his victory. "I played unbelievable golf coming down the stretch and had so much fun with it. When I bring my best, I know I’m good enough to play against the best players in the world."
- Justin Rose wins FedEx St Jude Championship
- Dramatic playoff victory against JJ Spaun
- Tommy Fleetwood finishes close behind