Rose wins play-off to secure first PGA title in two years

Justin Rose claimed victory at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship in a gripping play-off finish against 2025 US Open champion J.J. Spaun.

The event, held at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, marked the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs and offered a substantial $20 million purse, with Rose taking home the $3.6 million winner’s prize.

Rose finished the regulation 72 holes at 16-under par, matching Spaun’s score and forcing a sudden-death playoff. The Englishman shot a solid final round of 3-under 67, with four birdies in his last five holes to force the extra holes.

He had started the final round one shot behind Tommy Fleetwood, but a late surge on holes 14 through 17, where Rose made four consecutive birdies, put him into contention and helped secure the playoff spot.

The play-off extended to three sudden-death holes on the 18th. Both players parred the first playoff hole and birdied the second.

On the third playoff hole, Rose managed a 12-foot birdie putt after Spaun missed a shorter seven-foot attempt. This clutch performance sealed Rose’s 12th PGA Tour win and his first since early 2023.

Rose’s critical shots under pressure included a perfect 6-iron shot to 15 feet on the 14th hole in the final round, which ignited his back-nine rally. His later performance set up birdie opportunities that saw him get ahead of his rivals.

Despite a missed 13-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole and nearly finding water off the tee, Rose remained focused and prevailed at the end of the day.

This win also makes Rose the oldest European to secure a PGA Tour victory in the modern era, at age 45. It strengthens his position for the Ryder Cup and boosts his confidence heading into the next playoff event, the BMW Championship, where only the top 50 players advance.

The tournament featured a strong field including Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood, who finished just one stroke behind at 15-under. Fleetwood, still seeking his first PGA Tour victory in his 162nd start, led into Sunday but ultimately slipped as Rose and Spaun surged ahead.